Improved regulation will enable the UK to realise the full potential of innovation in agricultural technology and better protect the environment after leaving the EU, according to a new resource launched today.

A new animation*, launched by the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, highlights the existing importance of GM feed imports to the UK livestock sector, as well as the UK’s expertise in plant science. The resource is clear that the UK must build on this base once outside the EU to realise the potential of new technologies in plant breeding – and will be able to do so provided science-based regulation prevails.

With the right regulation of agri-tech, abc has found that the UK could benefit from;

• more global markets for UK farmers,
• becoming a more attractive place for inward investment,
• greater food security
• the potential economic benefits of new agri-tech innovations such as gene editing, which have the potential to better protect the environment.

Speaking today, Mark Buckingham, abc Chairman, said: 

“This animation aims to illustrate the many ways in which better, science based regulation of agri-tech products, including GM, in the UK offers a range of benefits for the country as we leave the European Union.”

“GM is already a vital part of the livestock industry, and this must be protected as we leave the EU. But, more than this, the UK has a great opportunity to capitalise on the strength of the science base we have in this country. Appropriate regulations will deliver both economic and environmental benefits for the UK which are currently out of reach under the malfunctioning EU system.”

 Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association, Sarah Mukherjee, also welcomed the animation, saying:

 “It’s great to see such a positive vision for the post-Brexit future of agricultural technologies in the UK. With the right regulatory environment we can encourage investment in innovation, support productive agriculture and at the same time protect and enhance our environment.”

* To watch copy and paste this link: http://www.abcinformation.org/index.php/features/opportunities-for-agricultural-biotechnology-in-the-uk