Precision bred plants, food, and feed

Draft copy of The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) (England) Regulations 2024. Language(s): English. Number of pages: 31

The notified regulation brings into force parts of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 to establish a regulatory framework for organisms produced through precision breeding technologies, like gene editing, where the genetic changes could have arisen through traditional breeding, to ensure plant, animal and human health and welfare is safeguarded. This will mean significantly reduced requirements compared to genetically modified organism (GMO) legislation. This comprises of two domestic notification processes for the deliberate release and marketing of Precision Bred Organisms (PBOs) into the environment and an authorisation process for the food and feed derived from PBOs. The draft regulations establish information requirements and a tiered approach for authorising PBOs. They also establish the requirement for public registers and enforcement provisions, comparatively less burdensome than currently under GMO legislation.

Under these new regulations, PBOs will no longer be regulated as GMOs in England. Instead, qualifying plants, food and feed produced through precision breeding technologies will be subject to a new proportionate, science-based authorisation process. This process will maintain appropriate protections on plant, animal and human health, the environment and consumer information while reducing trade barriers and facilitating trade.

This new regulatory framework will ensure that levels of known toxins and allergens remain within acceptable levels for the protection of human and animal health. We are notifying other elements of these measures under the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.