A number of constituents have contacted me about the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act.

I am aware that the Government is working to encourage agricultural and scientific invocation in the UK and unlock the potential of new technologies to promote sustainable and efficient farming and food production. The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act removes unnecessary barriers inherited from the EU to enable the development and marketing of precision bred plants and animals, which will drive economic growth and position the UK as the leading country in which to invest in agri-food research and innovation.

The Act creates a new, simpler regulatory regime for precision bred plants and animals that have genetic changes that could have arisen through traditional breeding or natural processes. It will also introduce two notification systems for research and marketing purposes, where breeders and researchers will need to notify the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of precision bred organisms. It will establish a new science-based authorisation process for food and feed products developed using precision bred organisms.

I am assured that the Food Standards Agency will only authorise products for sale in the first place if they are judged to present no risk to health, do not mislead consumers and do not have lower nutritional value than their traditionally bred counterparts.

While there is great potential for increasing innovation, the Government recognises the need to safeguard animal welfare in the new regulatory framework. That is why Ministers are taking a step-by-step approach, enabling use of precision breeding technologies with plants first followed by animals later.

The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act is consistent with the science and also the approach taken by many international partners around the world that have already legislated in this way. I welcome that this Act received Royal Assent in March 2023 and is now law. I am aware that up to £30 million is being invested to drive forward the use of precision breeding technologies, which builds on the £8 million already invested over the last five years.

I am aware that since precision breeding technologies mimic traditional breeding processes, the products from precision bred plants or animals only contain genetic changes that could have occurred through natural or traditional breeding. Therefore, I understand that Ministers do not believe it would be proportionate to require labelling of these products. In addition, the scientific advice is that precision bred organisms pose no greater risk to the environment and health than their traditionally bred counterparts.

Existing labelling requirements will continue to apply to allow consumers to make choices about their food, such as nutritional and allergen labelling. However, to ensure transparency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is developing a public register so that information about food and feed products that are authorised by the FSA is available in the public domain. I understand that mandatory labelling will still be required for GM food products.