Keir Starmer should secure the UK's innovation of gene editing (Image: Getty)
Britain must use its post-Brexit freedom to become a world leader in gene editing to cut costs and reduce chemicals in growing food, MPs have said. This innovation can create crops that are more resilient to extreme conditions, increase resistance to diseases that would otherwise devastate harvests and slash the environmental footprint of farming.
Brexit meant that the last Conservative government could bypass EU delay, cut red tape and allow UK scientists to spearhead gene editing technology. But Tory MPs warn there is a risk the Bloc insists that the UK adopts the same tighter regulations as the EU single market during Keir Starmer’s bid for closer ties. Alan Mak MP said: "Keir Starmer campaigned energetically for a second referendum with free movement of people. So it’s no surprise he seeks the lazy embrace of the EU when it’s not in the national interest.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Eagle Whiskey Bottle: A Collector’s DreamGrishay Read More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts 'impossible' 2050 net zero target in swipe at Ed Miliband
Comments
Labour launches war on waste - but faces fury over some of its own spending
4 Comments
Major change coming to passport control - and British tourists will be happy
17 Comments
I was in the room at Nigel Farage press conference before moment no one was expecting
39 Comments
Labour dealt huge blow as benefits plan doesn't have support of whole Cabinet, Tories say
30 Comments
'You wouldn't understand common sense' - Labour faces more fury over sentencing furore
26 Comments
Moment Kemi Badenoch slaps down leftie protesters screaming at major event
29 Comments
17 Beauty Products That Will Dominate 2025Life'd Beauty Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The 7 word message for Keir Starmer from furious farmer that can only be seen from the sky
5 Comments
Labour blasted for 'most cruel betrayal' in another blow to farmers
143 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The new type of banana that scientists say will stay fresh for 12 hours after being opened
Comments
Subsidies paused without warning in Labour's latest 'shattering blow' to UK farmers
136 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Furious farmers erupt at Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal after halting key lifeline
57 Comments
Factory farming is undermining UK food security - new report
6 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Killer New Hyundai Tucson Prices In 2025 For Seniors May Simply Amaze You!Seniors Hyundai Tucson 2025 Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts 'impossible' 2050 net zero target in swipe at Ed Miliband
Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour launches war on waste - but faces fury over some of its own spending
4 Comments
Major change coming to passport control - and British tourists will be happy
17 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
I was in the room at Nigel Farage press conference before moment no one was expecting
39 Comments
Labour dealt huge blow as benefits plan doesn't have support of whole Cabinet, Tories say
30 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
'You wouldn't understand common sense' - Labour faces more fury over sentencing furore
26 Comments
Moment Kemi Badenoch slaps down leftie protesters screaming at major event
29 Comments
The 7 word message for Keir Starmer from furious farmer that can only be seen from the sky
5 Comments
Labour blasted for 'most cruel betrayal' in another blow to farmers
143 Comments
The new type of banana that scientists say will stay fresh for 12 hours after being opened
Comments
Subsidies paused without warning in Labour's latest 'shattering blow' to UK farmers
136 Comments
Furious farmers erupt at Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal after halting key lifeline
57 Comments
Factory farming is undermining UK food security - new report
6 Comments
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“The PM should be making the most of our hard-fought Brexit freedoms. Global Britain can be nimbler and regulate better than the ailing EU. We can reap the rewards of gene editing, but only if we don't kowtow to the EU.
“But, as per usual, instead of fighting for Britain’s national interest, he’s more interested in cosying up to his mates in Brussels.”
Gene editing allows scientists to make precise, targeted changes to a plant's DNA, enabling them to introduce or modify specific traits.
Sponsored
GovPlus Learn More
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Tropic Bioscience, a start-up based in Norwich, has developed non-browning bananas to reduce waste.
Trending
An estimated 33% of the produce that is harvested worldwide is never consumed because of the short shelf-life of many fruits and vegetables.
Scientists are also working on a way to make tomatoes sweeter without sacrificing their size.
Experts suggest that most consumers prefer sweeter varieties - but it can be difficult to achieve both sweetness and size in tomato plants.
Bananas and rice have been made to include extra vitamin A, and other crops have been enriched with vitamin E, iron and zinc. These nutrients have been identified as early targets because they are key deficiencies in many people’s diets.
Former environment secretary Baroness Coffey: "While Labour says it is the party of innovation and slashing regulation, why is it now threatening our gene-editing industry with red tape in order to cosy up to the EU?
“Gene-editing can boost food’s shelf-life, reduce food waste, and make crops more resilient to extreme weather events, pests, and disease. Cutting regulations is a win for British scientists and our farmers. But yet again Labour is preparing to trade away what is best for our rural communities and the environment by unwinding our Brexit freedoms.
“If Labour really cared about our environment, food security, and cutting the cost of living, the government should further liberate this exciting technology instead of holding embarrassing EU love-ins."
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Rebecca Smith MP echoed the warnings that Labour risks throwing away vital post-Brexit progress on gene-editing.
She added: “This technology has the potential to create crops that last longer and can cope with extreme weather. This will save consumers and farmers money whilst creating a more sustainable Britain. Labour must not cut the legs off an industry in which the UK could be world-leading.”
Kitty Thompson, Senior Nature Programme Manager at the Conservative Environment Network, urged the Government to use legislation to unlock the full potential of science.
She said: “At the exact moment this Labour government should be unlocking the Genetic Technology Act’s full potential, it is instead looking for ways to get closer to the EU.
“Any efforts to make trading with the EU easier should absolutely not come at the expense of the progress we have made on making it easier for our farmers to access gene-editing technology.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts 'impossible' 2050 net zero target in swipe at Ed Miliband
Comments
Labour launches war on waste - but faces fury over some of its own spending
4 Comments
Major change coming to passport control - and British tourists will be happy
17 Comments
I was in the room at Nigel Farage press conference before moment no one was expecting
39 Comments
Labour dealt huge blow as benefits plan doesn't have support of whole Cabinet, Tories say
30 Comments
'You wouldn't understand common sense' - Labour faces more fury over sentencing furore
26 Comments
Moment Kemi Badenoch slaps down leftie protesters screaming at major event
29 Comments
2025's Most Realistic Bunny ToySherum Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The 7 word message for Keir Starmer from furious farmer that can only be seen from the sky
5 Comments
Labour blasted for 'most cruel betrayal' in another blow to farmers
143 Comments
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The new type of banana that scientists say will stay fresh for 12 hours after being opened
Comments
Subsidies paused without warning in Labour's latest 'shattering blow' to UK farmers
136 Comments
Want To Stay Slim at 42? Do This Turm eric Trick Every MorningHealth & Lifestyle Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Furious farmers erupt at Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal after halting key lifeline
57 Comments
Factory farming is undermining UK food security - new report
6 Comments
Want To Stay Slim at 45? Cardiologists says Try This Trick Every Morning!Health & Lifestyle Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Protein Isn't Enough - Here's What Really Builds Muscle After 60Apex Labs
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Las Vegas: Must-Have Soccer SouvenirWorld Cup Shop Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring : Request a Free TrialDexcom Try Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Kemi Badenoch blasts 'impossible' 2050 net zero target in swipe at Ed Miliband
Comments
Perfect for Easter: Cute Resin Garden RabbitEaster Bunny Decorations Shop Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour launches war on waste - but faces fury over some of its own spending
4 Comments
Major change coming to passport control - and British tourists will be happy
17 Comments
Unveiling the New Senior Apartments In Las Vegas - See the Prices HereSenior Apartments | Search Ads Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
I was in the room at Nigel Farage press conference before moment no one was expecting
39 Comments
Labour dealt huge blow as benefits plan doesn't have support of whole Cabinet, Tories say
30 Comments
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To This 1 ThingApex Labs
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
'You wouldn't understand common sense' - Labour faces more fury over sentencing furore
26 Comments
Moment Kemi Badenoch slaps down leftie protesters screaming at major event
29 Comments
The 7 word message for Keir Starmer from furious farmer that can only be seen from the sky
5 Comments
Labour blasted for 'most cruel betrayal' in another blow to farmers
143 Comments
The new type of banana that scientists say will stay fresh for 12 hours after being opened
Comments
Subsidies paused without warning in Labour's latest 'shattering blow' to UK farmers
136 Comments
Furious farmers erupt at Keir Starmer's Brexit betrayal after halting key lifeline
57 Comments
Factory farming is undermining UK food security - new report
6 Comments
Eco-madness as Amazon forest felled to build new road for climate summit
13 Comments
The new 'rainwater' project aimed at cleaning up England's largest lake
2 Comments
Rachel Reeves's tax-raising budget to hit 164-year-old dairy farm with ￡500k bill
25 Comments
Labour has pushed UK into 'moment of economic peril' as Keir Starmer savaged
42 Comments
Labour's DWP changes criticised as rumoured cuts spark outrage
1 Comments
Keir Starmer plans his own Elon Musk-style DOGE in desperate bid to save cash
134 Comments
Vladimir Putin's cronies tried to influence UK General Election: Minister
42 Comments
Discover Effortless Glucose Monitoring: Reques...Dexcom
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Free CustomizationYETI
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
2025's Most Realistic Bunny ToySherum
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “This Government recognises that food security is national security.
“That’s why we have laid legislation to enact the Precision Breeding Act for plants - enabling the development of crops that are more nutritious, resistant to pests and disease, resilient to climate change and more beneficial to the environment.
“With these measures, our agriculture sector will be at the forefront of innovation across the world.”
By Jerome Mayhew MP
Gene editing can be a game-changer for our farmers, scientific community, and the environment by using science to speed up the benefits of selective breeding.
Using gene editing we can protect our crops from climate change, help reduce our reliance on expensive and polluting chemicals, and unlock bountiful business opportunities.
Brexit meant that the last Conservative government could bypass EU delay, cut red tape and allow UK scientists to spearhead gene editing technology.
Our half-century membership of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy was disastrous for our countryside, slashing biodiversity and accelerating climate change.
Having left the EU we have started to repair the damage, with public money now being focussed on improving agricultural investment and techniques so that nature can flourish as we grow more.
And with war in Europe we need food security more than ever.
Precision breeding techniques, like gene editing, can play a critical role in securing our increasingly exposed domestic supply of food, protecting farmers' crops and offering a unique economic opportunity in the process.
Plant breeding already increases our yields by 1% per year.
As time progresses, making our crops more resistant to more pests and diseases will be integral to our efforts to mitigate against the impacts of climate change.
Equally, precision breeding of animals can improve their welfare.
Reducing the need for antibiotics, resistance to which is regarded by many as the next big societal challenge we will need to confront, can also put the UK on the front foot.
Embracing gene editing will lower our reliance on field sprays and additives too. This can help improve water quality by reducing the volume of damaging chemicals flowing into our watercourses.
That is why the Conservatives passed the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act back in 2023.
Free from the EU’s unnecessary red tape, we liberalised the law on gene editing, empowering businesses and farmers to develop and deploy this cutting-edge technology.
The legislative framework was set, but the general election came before the full regulations could be finalised.
Labour needs to finish the job, but there is a huge risk that their determination to cosy up to the EU means that they will sacrifice our progress and handcuff innovators by returning to the EU’s deadening approach to gene editing regulation.
There is a risk the EU insists on ‘dynamic alignment’, where the UK would have to adopt the same regulations as the EU single market.
This would render our gene editing reforms and other post-Brexit dynamism on food regulations redundant.
Any Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards Agreement (SPS) that the UK enters into with the EU should not come at the expense of the progress we have made on gene-editing.
This should be a red line in any government negotiations.
Plant breeding already contributes ￡1 billion annually in additional value to our economy. Think of how much can be unlocked if we go the whole hog with gene-editing.
With growth being the magic word for the government and food security a top five priority for the Environment Secretary, DEFRA has rightly recognised the opportunities of gene editing and committed to deliver the required secondary legislation.
We cannot let Labour’s ideological hostility to Brexit undermine farming’s future in the UK.