Agricultural biotechnology is the science by which you can genetically modify plants to produce improved crop and vegetable varieties. GM crops are grown from seeds which have been modified in a laboratory.
There are a number of exciting benefits which result from plant modifications of this kind which offer environment, consumer and economic improvements. This technology is being used and developed in the global food chain to
- Help farmers grow more food, more sustainably;
- Help farmers reduce their impact on resources and the environment;
- And help farmers to meet specific challenges in the developing world.
Gene-editing
The Government has recently launched a consultation into the classification and regulation of precision breeding technologies. To read the briefing paper that the briefing paper that has been produced by abc about the opportunities of gene editing please click here. Commenting on the launch of the consultation, Mark Buckingham – Chair of abc, said
“ This consultation should now enable effective and evidence-based approach to decision-making following Britain’s departure from the European Union. Brexit has given the UK the ability to forge its own agriculture policy that would finally allow the agriculture sector to harness innovation, trade more goods globally and support science, research and development.
The pandemic has shown us that science offers the most effective tools to address our greatest challenges. As the world’s population is expected to peak at nine billion by 2050, increasing food demand by up to 60 per cent, we need to work with the latest genetic knowledge to create options for farmers and consumers and give them every tool possible to meet these challenges, while limiting the impact on resources and biodiversity. Now more than ever we need regulation that promotes, not constrains, innovation.”