THE imminent implementation of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 will be a major policy shift that will help UK potato growers produce more resilient, sustainable crops, scientists have stated.
The Act, which received Royal Assent last year, allows precision-bred crops – developed through targeted genetic changes equivalent to natural breeding – to move from research into commercial farming. The change will speed up access to improved plant varieties, helping to reduce yield losses from drought, pests and disease, and cut reliance on fertilisers and pesticides, according to Rothamsted Research.
Rothamsted Research has previously welcomed the legislation as an important enabler of sustainable innovation in UK farming. The institute’s earlier commentary on the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 can be found here.
Prof. Patrick Bailey, interim CEO of Rothamsted said: “Innovation has been the beating heart of Rothamsted for over 180 years, and this new legislation will help pump new technologies into the UK’s agricultural R&D sector. We are excited by the opportunities it will bring.”
Under the new legislation, precision-bred organisms (PBOs) will be regulated separately from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This will enable growers to access improved varieties sooner.
The Rothamsted team says it will also accelerate the development of resilient crops, reducing yield losses from drought, pests, and disease, while input costs will be lower as crops will needless fertiliser, pesticides and irrigation.
Precision breeding also has potential benefits for everyone who eats potatoes or cares about the environment, the team added.
It said crops can be improved for better nutritional content. By reducing the need for chemicals and water, precision-bred crops support cleaner rivers, healthier soils, and biodiversity, while more resilient crops mean more stable harvests and protection against global supply shocks.
Senior Crop Scientist at Rothamsted, Prof. Nigel Halford, said: “This is a hugely important day as we move towards enabling this really powerful technology to be used for the benefit of our farmers and consumers.”
PROBITY, a three-year, multi-partner project led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) and funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, explores how precision breeding can work effectively on real farming systems for public and environmental good.
Managing Director of BOFIN, Tom Allen-Stevens, has welcomed the implementation of the act, saying it will put growers and food producers “on the front foot”.
“The new legislation opens the door for us to trial and eventually adopt crop varieties that are more nutritious, resilient, and environmentally sustainable. By moving these innovations from the laboratory to the field, we are paving the way for a more productive and climate-resilient food system,” he said, when discussing the Act earlier this year.
