Cymraeg What’s the Issue?
Since Brexit, the UK Government has pursued legislation which would ease restrictions on the genetic engineering of plants and animals destined for our food system. On May 25th 2022 the government announced a new Gene Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill to put legilsation in place that would allow for the deregulation of GMOs created using presicion breeding gene-editing techniques, such as CRISPR. These new gene technologies are supposed to allow for targeted changes to DNA, giving plants, animals, and other organisms specific traits such as disease resistance. We’re concerned that this piece of legislation will impact the rights of our members and other farmers and food producers to save seed, to make informed choices about the crops they are growing, while also leading to adverse impacts on farm biodiversity.
What are we doing?
On 7th January 2021, DEFRA launched an online consultation on the regulation of gene technologies and, notably, the technique of ‘gene editing’. You can read our response here.
On June 15th 2022 we released a statement in response to the new Gene-Editing Bill, which you can read here.
We have also signed a joint statement with 30 other food and farming organisations urging MPs to make the necessary amendments to the Bill to ensure the safety and protection of farmers, consumers and the environment.
What can I do?
Click here to email Your MP using Beyond GM’s online platform and template letter and ask them to make the necessary changes to the Bill.
