10.05.22
ABC welcomes the announcement of the Genetic Technologies (Precision Breeding) Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech.
This is an important next step in the UK’s approach to the future regulation of plant breeding techniques. Post-Brexit, it is positive to see the UK take the opportunity to rejoin the mainstream of global agricultural innovation and adopt the science-based regulatory approaches taken by countries like Canada and Australia.
While the introduction of this Bill is significant, this is only the first step toward using our scientific knowledge to tackle local and global challenges. The Government must also prioritise setting out the path toward the practical use of these techniques; otherwise, the full benefits will not be realised. Considering the rising cost of living and concerns about our future food security, agricultural technologies have an integral part to play in ensuring farmers can continue to produce nutritious, sustainable food to feed an ever-growing population.
