Plant scientists are demanding the next government prioritise the introduction of gene editing, to help accelerate the development of crops with increased yields, improved climate resilience and reduced environmental footprints.

Niab chief executive Mario Caccamo told a Westminter Forum on Monday (17 June) that, despite the Precision Breeding Act being passed more than a year ago, the required secondary legislation had not yet been implemented.

See also: Gene editing – the pros and cons for farming

Even though Defra and Food Standards Agency officials had prepared the necessary implementing rules, the “unexpected hiatus” caused by the early general election announcement had derailed the process.

Prof Caccamo said that was “hugely disappointing”. Without the secondary legislation, the Act remains an “empty shell” and serves no functional purpose.

Innovations

“Investors and developers are queuing up to bring forward exciting innovations that will support more sustainable and productive farming systems,” he said.

For example, gene-edited strawberries from US food group JR Simplot could bear fruit for three times as long as their non-edited equivalents, producing up to five times as much fruit with a longer shelf-life.

Their baby new potatoes could also achieve the same crop from one-third of the land area previously required.

“I would strongly encourage all those with an interest in freeing up the using of these exciting new technologies to make that point clearly and unequivocally to ministers and their elected representatives in the next administration,” said Prof Caccamo.

Concerns 

However, environmental pressure group Beyond GM said the next government should reflect on concerns expressed by MPs and peers prior to the Precision Breeding Act becoming law.

“We expect to see a revision of the planned secondary legislation to reflect a more sensible approach to the regulation of so-called precision-bred organisms,” said Beyond GM director Pat Thomas.

“That includes an acknowledgement of the eight-in-10 in this country who want mandatory labelling and traceability of these organisms in the food system.”

Labour is understood to be broadly in favour of gene editing.

At a Farmers Weekly Question Time event last year, shadow farming minister Daniel Zeichner said it provided opportunities, though he was wary of potential trade issues and consumer reaction to using the technology in livestock.