Foodlaw-Reading
Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK
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FDF News Item, 10 May 2022
The government has announced plans to allow the gene editing of animals and crops in a bid to improve Britain’s agricultural productivity.
The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill outlined in the Queen’s Speech is aimed at promoting "efficient" farming and food production – stripping out rules inherited from the EU after Brexit.
The Food and Drink Federation’s chief scientific officer Kate Halliwell said:
"We welcome today’s announcement by the UK Government to create the right regulatory framework in England for precision breeding techniques to be enabled.
"While the process will take time, techniques like gene editing present clear opportunities to encourage innovation within food production and could help drive competitiveness and sustainability in the food and drink supply chain. However, it is important that the UK Government also considers how to put in place the right framework so not to raise unnecessary barriers to trade."
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