b'GIANT VIEWSBY: TINA BARSBYSCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREA CALL TO ARMStions, such as gene editing, increasinglyinnovation, beginning with a Defra con-offer better ways to protect harvests whilesultation on proposals to regulate preci-minimising impacts on unfarmed habitats.sion breeding techniques in the same way Another suggestion from FoE wasas conventional breeding methods, rather that conventional plant breeding is con- than as GMOs. fined to sexual reproductionin otherThis could mark a significant step words, simply crossing compatible plantsforward for genetic research and innova-and selecting the best offspring.tion, aligning our rules with other coun-Again, the reality is somewhat dif- tries around the world. We very much ferent, as so much of the success ofhope, following recent EFSA confirmation modern plant breeding is based on lab- that gene edited crops pose no greater oratory-based techniques used to createsafety concerns than conventionally bred Dr. Tina Barsby OBE, chief executive of NIAB genetic variatione.g., protoplast fusion,crops, that the EU Commission study due embryo rescue, doubled haploidy, chem- to report on this issue in April will take a I not agree more with Davidical and radiation-based mutagenesis.similar, pro-science approach. could Zaruks Risk Corner article high- Such techniques are commonplace withinThe challenges of food security, cli-lighting the need for sustainableall crop production systems, includingmate change and sustainable development intensification to tackle the challengesorganic. Indeed, a celebrated examplewill not be addressed by turning back the facing global agriculture, and the pivotalis the barley variety Golden Promise, aclock to some fake nostalgic past.role of crop genetic improvement in pro- mainstay of organic brewing, created byI believe it is more important than viding farm-level solutions.bombarding seeds with gamma rays toever, therefore, to stand up for agricul-I also support his call for the plantinduce random mutations.tural innovation, and do more to explain breeding and seed sectors to do more toI cannot be sure whether these arethe vital role of science and technology explain their contribution, and to empha- genuine misunderstandings, but suchin safeguarding our food supply, tackling sise the cutting-edge science whichviews certainly feed into a common mis- climate change and protecting the natu-increasingly underpins todays cropconception that old-fashioned farmingral environment. improvement programmes. methods are better for the environmentThats why NIAB is exploring options I recently took part in an exchangeand more sustainable.with other like-minded organisations for a of letters on gene editing in a leadingI was particularly disappointednew communications platformScience British farming publication, oppositethat the Soil Association, Britains mostfor Sustainable Agriculture - to highlight Friends of the Earth (FoE) campaignervocal organic body, recently describedthe contribution of scientific innovation Kierra Box.the human devastation of COVID-19 asin farming and provide a focal point for It was quite an eye-opener, and aa wake-up call from Mother Nature toinformed discussion. We need to be ready reminder of the need to promote a betterreturn to more traditional farming prac- to expose, comment on and challenge understanding of how modern plant sci- tices, urging the UK to exceed the EUsunscientific positions or policy decisions ence supports improved crop production.Green Deal ambition to halve pesticidein relation to sustainable agriculture.An early challenge in this exchangeuse and grow organic farmings share toOur aim is to provide a focus for was to expose the myth that agriculture25 per cent of all farmland.broader debates setting modern, hi-tech is somehow part of the natural ecosys- Ironically, this call came in the sameagriculture in contextfor example in tem. Of course, farmers use natural bio- week that humanity was celebrating therelation to intensive vs. extensive farming logical processes, but farming itself isground-breaking achievements of biotechsystems, land-sparing vs. land-sharing, not, and never has been natural. Nonescientists in developing a COVID vaccine,evidence-based policy and regulation, of the crops which make up our farmedusing the very same genetic technologiessustainability metrics, farming and cli-landscape are native to these shores (notthat the Soil Association has campaignedmate changeand to promote a conver-even the grass!). Most bear only a passingagainst for years. sation rooted in scientific evidence, rather resemblance to their wild ancestors, andFor me it prompts a different kind ofthan doctrine and ideology. all have been imported from around thewake-up call.If you would like to be involved, globe and adapted to our growing condi- TheUKGovernmentrecentlyplease get in touch. The opportunities tions and markets by the most amazingunveiled plans for potentially the mostahead are too great to be missed. human and scientific ingenuity.significant policy breakthrough in plant At the same time, farmers must workbreeding for decades.Editors Note: Dr Tina Barsby OBE is to sustain their crops in the face of natu- Outside the EU, Britain has anchief executive of NIAB. An adapted ral intrusion, e.g., in the form of diseases,opportunity to embrace a more progres- version of this article first appeared in insects and other pests. Scientific innova- sive, science-based approach to geneticNIABs in-house Landmark magazine.40IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'