Industry stakeholders NFU Scotland, Agricultural Industries Confederation, and GB Potatoes call upon the Scottish Government to establish an independent expert working group to consider the key issues about Precision Breeding technology. 

In a letter addressed to the Government, the stakeholders state that the working group should consider the range of issues and evidence covering scientific application, comparing international regulatory developments, trade impacts, cost of enforcing divergent GE policies, impact on agricultural productivity, and impacts on EU alignment. They emphasized that considering the issues would ensure they are not left behind in this vital area of innovation.

The stakeholders also cite that in Scotland, there are unique pests and diseases with local research institutions and plant breeding businesses to help address them.  Precision breeding has the potential to play a key role in contributing to key Scottish Government policies, including reducing emissions from agricultural production, growing the Scottish agricultural economy, and contributing to food security through ensuring resilient domestic food and feed supply. They urge the Government to consider the issue and not to ignore the vast potential benefits of this established technology. "We should be clear that Precision Breeding is not the same as Genetic Modification, and there are clear differences between the two," the letter stated.

For more details, read the letter in NFU Scotland.