Precision Breeding Working Group
The Precision Breeding Working Group aims to facilitate routes to market for precision bred plant products.
The Precision Breeding Working Group brings together representatives from:
- research centres
- plant breeders
- growers
- food manufacturers
- retailers
Precision breeding
Breeders have made use of our understanding of genetics for many years to create new varieties. Using traditional and modern breeding technologies, breeders create new generations of plants with improved characteristics. However, this can be an inexact and lengthy process.
Precision breeding describes a range of technologies that can make the same type of genetic changes as traditional breeding. But does this in a more efficient and precise way. An example is gene editing,
These breeding tools could play a major part in addressing the challenges humanity faces:
- tackling diseases
- enhancing food security
- reducing chemical inputs
- developing more nutritional products for consumers
The Precision Breeding Act introduces new legislation for controlling the:
- use of gene edited plants and animals
- food and animal feed derived from them
The Working Group will focus primarily on precision bred plants. This is because measures for precision bred plants will be introduced first. Measures for animals will be introduced after Defra has developed the details of a regulatory process for safeguarding precision bred animal health and welfare. This includes establishing a welfare advisory body.
Purpose
The purpose of the group is to facilitate discussions between representatives across the food sector. Working group members will:
- identify the challenges and opportunities for precision breeding
- discuss how to facilitate a route to market
- get initial products on retail shelves for consumers
Membership
The Working Group consists of representatives from:
- National Farmers Union (NFU)
- British Society of Plant Breeders
- Agricultural Industries Confederation
- British Retail Consortium
- Food and Drink Federation
- National Institute of Agricultural Botany
- John Innes Centre
Meetings
The Working Group will meet quarterly. The meetings are closed to the public.
Previous meetings:
- 12 September 2023