Written by Charlotte Cunningham
A consultation on the future of gene editing has been launched by the environment secretary at this year’s online Oxford Farming Conference. Charlotte Cunningham reports. Plans to consult on gene editing – which could unlock substantial benefits to nature, the environment and help farmers with crops resistant to pests, disease or extreme weather and to produce healthier, more nutritious food – have been set out today by environment secretary, George Eustice in his speech at the Oxford Farming Conference. The consultation will focus on stopping certain gene editing organisms from being regulated in the same way as genetic modification, as long as they could have been produced naturally or through traditional breeding. This approach has already been adopted by a wide range of countries across the world, including Japan, Australia and Argentina. Highest standards The government says it will continue to work with farming and environmental groups to develop the right rules and ensure robust controls are in place to maintain the highest food safety standards while supporting the production of healthier food. Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference today, George Eustice said: “Gene editing has the ability to harness the genetic resources that mother nature has provided, in order…
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