In the UK effort to align more with Europe, will it mothball its recently relaxed policy on gene-edited crops? 

The [UK] government is attempting to negotiate an opt-out from European laws that ban the commercialisation of most forms of gene-edited crops.

But sources said Brussels negotiators were holding firm in their demand that the UK must align with EU regulations to ensure a level playing field.

The hardline stance could force ministers to mothball the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023, which came fully into force in England in November.

It was designed to make it easier for farmers to grow crops that have had their genetic code edited to enhance specific traits, such as blight-resistant potatoes and tomatoes enriched with vitamins.

Although the EU is looking to liberalise its own rules, they would still be more restrictive than those in England and have yet to be agreed by member states.

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“The Precision Breeding Act had the potential to make Britain a world leader in the application of gene-editing technology benefiting both farmers and consumers,” [said one industry source].

“But that is now at real risk because of the reset.”

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