About us

We give statutory advice to ministers on the risks to human health and the environment from the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

We also advise on the release of certain non-GM species of plants and animals that are not native to Great Britain. Our advice has 3 possible outcomes:

  • the application is withdrawn following ACRE’s comments
  • we recommend that the application is rejected
  • we recommend consent is granted, with any conditions we think are needed

If government grants consent we also look at any monitoring outcomes and make further assessments if required.

Responsibilities

We provide advice to government on:

  • issuing consents to release or market GMOs
  • limitations of consents issued, including monitoring and any amendments needed
  • issuing fees and costs of enforcing consents
  • evaluating new research findings and any science-based GM matter
  • research into risks of GMOs
  • releasing non-native animals and plants into the environment
  • regulations for releasing and marketing of GMOs

Who we are

ACRE is an independent Advisory Committee composed of leading scientists. See our list of current members.

Sub-groups

Precision bred organisms

The terms of reference for the precision bred organisms (PBOs) sub-group are to:

  • provide advice to the government on scientific issues emerging from the consultation on the regulation of organisms produced by genetic technologies
  • develop technical guidance to support the regulatory process

The technical guidance considers:

  • genetic changes resulting in PBOs
  • information requirements for release (research) notices
  • best practice for PBO field trials
  • information requirements for marketing notices

Discussions

ACRE summary of Precision Breeding Organisms (PBO) subgroup discussions 2024 (PDF, 60.2 KB, 1 page)

Precision bred organisms (animals)

The terms of reference for the precision bred organisms (animals) sub-group are:

  • share ACRE expertise that might be relevant for a process of trait-based risk assessment in accordance with section 11(4) of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023
  • discuss and analyse the molecular genetics aspects of case studies developed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) on the welfare implications of specific precision bred traits
  • a geneticist with animal welfare expertise will be co-opted to the discussions

Discussions

ACRE summary of Precision Breeding Organisms (PBO) animal discussions 2024 (PDF, 82.3 KB, 1 page)

Previous sub-groups

Information about completed ACRE sub-groups is available on the National Archives website.

Corporate information

Access our information

Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme.

Contents