UK Secretary Steve Reed of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirmed the timeline for the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 during the Oxford Farming Conference on January 9, 2025.
“I can today confirm we will introduce secondary legislation to Parliament by the end of March, unlocking new precision breeding technology that will allow farmers to grow crops that are more nutritious, resistant to pests and disease, resilient to climate change and benefit the environment,” Reed said.
Reed also highlighted that precision breeding holds significant potential to revolutionize plant breeding in England, allowing innovative products to reach the market in years rather than decades, according to a press release.
“Right now, too many farmers don’t make enough money for the food they produce,” Reed said in a statement. “People feel we’re becoming too reliant on imports. Climate change and external shocks will keep challenging the sector. We’re offering a New Deal for Farmers to help address this.”
The Precision Breeding Act represents a crucial step in fostering growth and innovation in new technologies, enhancing food security in the face of climate change, and positioning England as a global leader in agri-food innovation. With this move, England joins countries like Argentina, the United States, Australia, and Japan, which have already implemented similar legislation, driving global innovation and contributing to the fight against the world’s most pressing challenges.
For more details, read the speech here.
