England wants to relax rules for the cultivation of genetically modified plants

London. The British government wants to relax the rules for growing genetically modified crops in England. “This is a tool that could help us address some of the biggest challenges we face – such as food security, climate change and the loss of ecological diversity,” said Agriculture Minister George Eustice on Wednesday. Outside the EU, the UK is now able to drive innovation in this area. According to the new rules, no complex license processes are required for tests for research purposes, but only information to the responsible ministry. The easing initially only applies to England.

The aim is to grow plants such as sugar beet that are more nutritious and more resistant to disease. The British government wants to enact simplified rules for minor genetic changes within a plant species, while genetic manipulations that involve several species should initially remain more strictly regulated. In the EU, strict rules apply to both.

Critics see more risks than opportunities in the genetic modification of plants. Several organizations criticized the UK government for largely ignoring a consultation process.

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