Research and analysis

Qualifying higher plant notification (reference: 23/Q08)

Published 29 August 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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Notification requirement for release of qualifying higher plants

Information to be provided to the Secretary of State alongside a notice of intention to release a qualifying higher plant under schedule 3A of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022.

1. The title of the project

Improved tomato harvesting.

2. The aim of the project (including any matters being investigated as part of the project)

We have created a gene knockout using genome editing that introduces the jointless trait into the tomato to improve harvestability. The QHPs will be grown in the glasshouse for phenotyping and seed harvest, where appropriate.

3. The full name of the qualifying higher plant to be released under the project, including:

(a) family name: Solanaceae

(b) genus: Solanum

(c) species: S. lycopersicum

(d) subspecies: not applicable

4. The expected date on which the project will start

1 September 2023.

5. The expected duration of the project

24 months.

6. Confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for the project will put in place appropriate measures[footnote 1], as necessary, to minimise the possibility of material from the qualifying higher plant being placed on the market, for example by cross-fertilizing sexually compatible commercial crops

We confirm that appropriate measures will be put in place. The QHPs will be grown in a glasshouse with access limited to those working on the project. The glasshouse, although vented, has mesh to limit insect access, but as tomatoes are not widely grown outside in the UK and the glasshouse is located at least 400m from any from any area that could potentially be used to grow a commercial crop, cross-fertilising sexually compatible commercial crops is not likely.

7. Confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for the project has read the ACRE guidance on genetic technologies that result in ‘qualifying higher plants’ and has assessed that the higher plants covered by this notification meet these criteria

We confirm we have read and understood the ACRE guidance. The work being undertaken will cause a deletion in the genome and will not introduce any foreign DNA.

  1. Notifiers may wish to refer to published ACRE advice concerning measures for the minimisation of cross-pollination from UK GMO crop trials authorised under retained EU legislation. ↩

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