Precision breeding of crops could lead to a reduction in pesticide use, says Defra
New precision breeding technology to increase food production, reduce costs to farmers and allow drought and disease resistant crops to be grown will be brought forward under new laws, the Government announced today (September 30).
Using such technologies as gene editing on plants, precision breeding will enable the development of crops that are more nutritious, resistant to pests and disease, resilient to climate change and more beneficial to the environment.
The measures will also reduce the use of pesticides, saving the important pollinators that are so vital to our ecosystem and promoting nature recovery. Additional benefits include boosting investment into the sector, supporting Britain's food security, increasing food production and reducing costs for farmers.
READ NOW: Defra challenged over sugar beet pesticide permission
At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner announced the government will pass secondary legislation required to unlock the benefits of the Precision Breeding Act as soon as parliamentary time allows.
"This Government recognises that food security is national security," Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said. "That is why today we are introducing legislation to unlock precision breeding to boost Britain's food security, support nature's recovery and protect farmers from climate shocks.
"With these measures, our agriculture sector will be at the forefront of innovation across the world."
READ NOW: Farming in climate crisis
Precision bred products have already started to undergo research trials, including tomatoes with high levels of vitamin D and sugar beet that is less reliant on pesticides. The legislation will enable these products to be rolled out across the country, reinforcing food security in the face of climate change, supporting our farmers and ensuring we become a world-leader in agri-food innovation.
Currently, only a few large multinationals can afford to navigate the complex authorisation process required to bring a new product to market. New legislation will simplify this process, making things fairer for SMEs and boosting investment.
