Defra consultation on requirements for  variety lists and labelling of Precision Bred Plant Varieties

The Defra consultation on Plant Varieties and Seeds Framework for Precision Bred Plant Varieties was launched in February.

The launch was only very recently communicated to us but as the consultation remains open until the 14th April 2025, there is still time to respond.

The consultation aims to gather feedback on:

• the proposed Precision Bred Variety List for England

• impact on businesses across the UK

• impacts if mandatory labelling of precision bred seeds and other plant reproductive material are required.

Because neither the variety list, nor labelling of PBOs are a foregone conclusion, it is important that Defra understand the positive and negative impacts on businesses should these requirements are put in place, and also if they are not.

 

The need to identify PBOs in organic

Organic business must exclude any precision bred organism as they fall under the definition of a genetically modified organism (GMO) for the purpose of the organic regulation.

They are also defined as GMO's in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Europe and other parts of the world. This means that the identification of precision bred seeds and plants will be important for all farms in areas outside England, organic farmers and anyone wanting to exclude precision bred organisms from their supply chains.

This is particularly important for all farmers and growers in the devolved nations. The UK Internal Market Act means that although it won’t be legal to use or grow PBOs outside England unless they meet all the GMO requirements, they will be able to be sold in other areas of the UK. Without adequate identification of PBOs it will be impossible for farmers and businesses to know if they are purchasing a PBO or not, and avoid breaking the law.

 

The proposed variety list

There is a proposal for a Precision Bred Variety List for England which will enable farmers and growers to determine if the seeds and plants they are growing are PBO's or not. Whilst we feel that a variety list is needed, unless a farmer or grower knows to refer to such a list, in the absence of mandatory labelling requirements for precision bred varieties, farmers and growers may still not know if a seed or plant is PBO or not.

 

The need for labelling

We feel strongly that there needs to be a mandatory labelling requirement for Precision Bred varieties. This is essential to enable farmers and growers to make informed choices and avoid the use of precision bred varieties, should they:

• be legally required to

• be certified organic

• be outside England

• wish to avoid them to meet their personal or supply chain preferences.

We will be responding to the consultation, but we urge you to also respond, to ensure that the needs of organic farmers are met without imposing additional burdens on organic producers or producers and supply chains wanting to avoid PBOs.

As these requirements will not only impact organic farmers, please do encourage others (e.g neighbouring farmers) to also respond, especially those in areas of the UK outside England or who supply customers that will want or need to exclude PBOs.

You can access the consultation on the Defra website.

Beyond GM will be hosting two identical online meetings to support organic and non-GMO seed companies – as well as breeders, growers and farmers, researchers and industry organisations – to respond effectively to the consultation. You can register for one of these below:

Wednesday 2nd April, 6pm
Thursday 3 April, 3pm

In addition to drawing attention to this consultation are also calling for more robust and appropriate assessment and approval of PBOs before they are released in the environment and mandatory labelling used on any food or feed products produced from PBOs. You can read more information on our position on PBOs on our website.