NEW PROPOSALS to explore gene editing in the UK post-Brexit have been welcomed by NFU Scotland as a positive step towards a net zero future.

Gene editing is amongst several technological innovations that are to be explored in the coming weeks by the UK Government as it looks to remove the ‘special status’ that EU retained law still holds in UK legislation.

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Supporters of gene editing have long argued that as it only involves DNA from within an organism's own genome, and amounts to no more than a speeding up of gene selection processes that could occur naturally, the technology's products should not be treated with the same suspicion as is aimed at genetically modified (GM) crops.

The UK Government recently completed a consultation about the regulation of genetic technologies with a view to changing the legislative framework on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) so that it no longer applied to organisms produced by gene editing and other genetic technologies. It is due to publish its findings at the end of this month. However, it has already publicly stated that reforming the regulations around gene-edited organisms, will ‘enable more sustainable and efficient farming and help produce healthier and more nutritious food’.

The NFU have predicted that gene-edited produce could be on shop shelves within five years and outdoor trials have already been launched to grow genetically edited wheat that removes acrylamide – the carcinogen that occurs when bread is toasted.

Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Frost said: “From rules on data storage to the ability of businesses to develop new green technologies, overbearing regulations were often conceived and agreed in Brussels with little consideration of the UK national interest. We now have the opportunity to do things differently and ensure that Brexit freedoms are used to help businesses and citizens get on and succeed.

Read more: Gene editing is a big opportunity for UK farmers

“The Government will go further and faster to create a competitive, high-standards regulatory environment which supports innovation and growth across the UK as we build back better from the pandemic.”

NFU Scotland’s crops policy manager David Michie pointed out that whatever the view, gene editing is ‘just another breeding technique.’

“Plant and animal breeding can be used to produce ‘better’ crops and livestock," he said. "These can have characteristics that will benefit animal welfare, public health, the environment, and farmers.

“New varieties and breeds with desirable traits that help farmers provide ‘public goods’ and avoid ‘public bads’ are an important piece of the sustainable farming jigsaw,” he explained. “They can be used as part of a future farming system that will better achieve sustainable practices that politicians and some farmers want to see, like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or regenerative farming.

“In the 21st century, a new breeding revolution can help address the biggest challenges of our time, the biggest one right now being climate change. There are a lot of things that need to be done to address the challenges we now face, and GE is a tool that should be taken out and used to move forward to a net zero future,” he concluded.