Arable 60
Ruling paves way for gene-edited crops
F
armers and consumers stand to benefit after sci- entists concluded that
gene-editing techniques could make food production more sus- tainable, say plant breeders. The long-awaited European Commission study into the reg- ulatory status of Novel Genom- ic Techniques (NGT) paves the way for gene-edited crop varie- ties to be grown in the UK and across Europe.
The study concluded that
NGT products have the poten- tial to make plants more resist- ant to disease, environmental conditions and the impact of cli- mate change – creating health- ier foods and reducing the need for farm inputs. Gene-editing, which involves
cutting and splicing DNA with- in the same organism to create new characteristics, is banned across the EU. But that could now change after the study con- cluded that current rules are not fit for purpose.
Aluminium Fittings & Parts
The perfect fit for irrigation solutions
Wright Rain UK 2018, a quality name, providing a quality product. We are ideally placed to serve our dealers across the whole of the UK with our full range of aluminium pipes, fittings and parts available from stock.
We specialise in agricultural and horticultural clear water crop irrigation and land dispersal of dirty water.
The Wright Rain range of aluminium pipes and fittings are known all over the UK for their superior quality and durability, and have become the industry standard for many applications. Their light weight, strength and corrosion resistance makes them ideally suited for portable irrigation systems.
Reduced costs The European Commission will now embark on a wideranging and open consultation to discuss a new legal framework for these biotechnologies – a decision wel- comed by NIAB chief executive Tina Barsby.
“This is great news,” said Dr
Barsby. “The EU study goes fur- ther than many in the scientif- ic community were expecting in highlighting the potential bene- fits of these techniques in provid-
Tina Barsby: ‘Great news’
ing faster, more precise access to genetic improvement.” The study was prompted by a European judgement which clas- sified products of precision breed- ing techniques as genetically mod- ified organisms – regardless of whether they could have occurred through natural variation or con- ventional breeding.
Dr Barsby said the ruling made no scientific sense – and was at odds with the regulatory stance of most other countries. It wsa encouraging that the new study explicitly recognised the need for change, she said. “The UK government has con- sistently made clear its opposi- tion to the ECJ judgement, and the recent Defra consultation on gene-editing paves the way for a more enabling and science-based approach to regulating these tech- niques in England.”
Manufacturers of Electronic Farming Equipment Electrical engineers and contractors • Drying - Humidity controllers, modulating gas burners and more
• Cooling - Differential temperature control, silo temperature monitoring and more • Control panels - Fan panels, crop conveying panels, and stirrer panels
Contact John or Chris for your local Wright Rain dealer and a copy of our new brochure
Wright Rain UK 2018 Bawtry Road, Tickhill Doncaster DN11 9EX
Tel: +44 (0)1302 756000 14 ANGLIA FARMER • JUNE 2021 • Electrical installations - Floor stores, grain driers, drying silos, conveying equipment
Better by Design |
www.tryac.co.uk Contact us today on: 01476 576434
or email us:
Martyn.tryac@
btconnect.com Unit 3, Isaac Newton Way, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 9RT British made.
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