OF&G respond to Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner’s announcement at World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit on the Precision Breeding Act. Roger Kerr, chief executive, Organic Farmers & Growers comments & quotes:

"Today’s announcement on ‘precision breeding’ genetic technology in food and feed signals a potentially troubling shift in the current administration’s approach by aligning with pro-GMO policy, rather than championing proven, sustainable farming systems.

Ignoring the precautionary principle, Government extols genetic engineering technology’s potential benefits for food security but has failed to address the critical issue of co-existence with non-genetically engineered food and feed. Or the potentially severe risks that arise from unleashing ‘precision bred organisms’ (PBO’s) on our fragile ecosystems.

Again, we’re hearing unproven assertions that this technology will ‘reduce the use of pesticides, saving the important pollinators that are so vital to our ecosystem and promoting nature recovery’. Yet, we know that the introduction of genetic engineering into US agriculture has not in fact led to any such reduction in pesticide use, and biodiversity continues to rapidly decline.

We are therefore deeply concerned about the consequences of rushing the secondary legislation required to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act in England for plants, without sufficient regulatory safeguards.

There must be full and effective engagement, across all four nations of the United Kingdom, during the drafting of the statutory instruments to facilitate effective coexistence, so as not to undermine organic production. We note that activity on this to date has been heavily criticised, with many industry groups and wider civil society raising concerns over inadequate protection.

England risks weakening its own food system and that of the devolved administrations by embracing these innovations too hastily. The organic sector maintains that all food production policies should prioritise long-term environmental stewardship, food safety, and consumer rights.

Introducing PBOs into the food chain without rigorous oversight would undermine all three, and place the organic sector, which depends on transparency and trust, in jeopardy.

We believe that any steps taken to adopt these technologies must ensure the integrity of UK farming and maintain the public's trust in our food system."