Less bureaucracy for GMOs obtained with New Breeding Techniques in England

The United Kingdom is becoming further committed to allow new GMOs to enter the market. The requirements for performing field testing using seeds generated by gene editing have been eased in London.    

London intends to intervene directly in this area's legislation. In general, British regulations are still linked with those of the European Union, the gene editing methods are now prohibited. However, with Brexit this is not the case anymore. As a result, Boris Johnson considers working on two phases simultaneously. The first is to make gene editing more widely available and the second is to intervene in GMO legislation and alter its meaning. In this manner, the prohibition would only apply to species changed using conventional methods, whereas New Breeding Techniques would be allowed. According to George Eustice, Johnson’s Secretary of State for the Environment, gene editing will allow them to address challenges such as food security, climate change as well as biodiversity loss.    

For the time being, the program is only applicable in London. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland will be able to make their own choice in regard to the new legislation for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).    

Source:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-unlock-power-of-gene-editing-unveiled