What does the UK Precision Breeding Act mean for organic?
This week, the Government’s new Precision Breeding Act came into force in England, creating a framework to allow the commercial use of gene-edited crops and, later, farm animals.
Gene editing technologies are promoted as solutions to climate change, pests, disease and food security, but the evidence for these claims remains weak. Especially when you compare against well-established solutions like organic and agroecological farm systems which are well evidenced to regenerate soil health, strengthen ecosystems and biodiversity, build resilience to climate shocks, reduce reliance on external inputs and provide the highest animal welfare standards.
Genetic engineering therefore continues to divert public investment and political attention away from solutions that are already delivering for farmers, the public and the environment.
Despite significant public opposition to the relaxation of GMO regulations, and concerns raised from groups including the Soil Association we have been unable to affect the bill as it passed through parliament and now passed into law.
What does this mean for the future of organic?
UK and EU organic regulations are clear: all forms of genetic engineering, including gene editing, are incompatible with organic production. Organic supply chains must therefore exclude Precision Bred Organisms (PBOs) and all GMOs.
Certification bodies will continue to enforce this and ensure no PBOs enter organic supply chains. Organic food on shelves remains GMO- and PBO-free, based on current UK and international standards.
Whilst the Act became active today, no gene-edited crop can be planted commercially until it completes an authorisation process. For staple crops such as cereals, this will take several years. Some crops, such as berries or high-value horticulture, may reach commercialisation sooner - imports of gene-edited produce may appear earlier still, though timelines remain unclear.
Lack of labelling and traceability creates new risks for long-term avoidance of GMOs
The Government has chosen not to require labelling of gene-edited food, supply chain traceability or segregation measures. This is despite the Food Standards Agency’s own research showing that most consumers want clear information about whether their food is genetically engineered.
The absence of labelling means that businesses and consumers will find it increasingly difficult to identify products containing PBOs. Organic businesses will be at risk of having to shoulder additional costs and administrative burdens to avoid them. Indirect contamination risks, for example through non-organic manure from animals fed PBO-derived feeds, will increase over time.
Organic consumers can continue to trust that organic certification prohibits GMOs and PBOs. But we are clear that stronger regulatory safeguards are essential to maintain that confidence in the long term.
What about gene editing in animals?
The Government has signalled that rules for gene editing in farm animals are being developed next, with early-stage experimentation already underway, such as the recent creation of gene-edited pigs resistant to classical swine fever.
We will continue to oppose these developments and highlight their welfare, ethical and ecological risks.
What the Soil Association is calling for
We have actively engaged in Defra’s Stakeholder Dialogues on genetic technologies. Now that PBOs can legally enter the market, we are calling for:
- mandatory labelling and full supply-chain traceability
- co-existence measures to protect organic and non-GM farming with clear protocols for businesses seeking to avoid PBOs
- investment in agroecological solutions that are already delivering real-world results
In summary
Organic standards remain unchanged and robust. No gene-edited crops can be grown commercially yet, and organic products on shelves remain free from GMOs and PBOs. The organic movement already shoulders the burden of setting itself apart from systems allowing controversial practices for environmental, animal and human health such as synthetic pesticides and fertiliser use. The lack of adequate GMO and PBO labelling, traceability and co-existence measures adds further challenges. We will continue to push for stronger protections that uphold consumer choice and safeguard the integrity of organic farming.