Fears Grow That EU Deal Will Effectively Ban Gene-Edited Farming

British farmers fear that their ability to use gene-edited crops could be severely curtailed under Keir Starmer’s proposed reset of relations with the European Union, according to industry concerns.

Under the current plans for closer agricultural and food-trade alignment with Brussels, UK cultivation of precision-bred crops developed using gene-editing techniques may face constraints similar to those in the EU — effectively amounting to a ban for many British growers.

What’s happening

England has already passed the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023, which allows the commercial cultivation of gene-edited crops.

However, as part of Starmer’s “reset” deal with the EU — intended to ease trade and regulatory deadlock post-Brexit — the UK may be required to adopt or align with some EU rules that restrict gene-editing adoption.

Industry groups say this alignment could jeopardise the regulatory independence that allows the UK to commercialise precision-breeding more rapidly than the EU.

Why it matters for growers

Farmers and agritech firms argue that gene-editing offers vital benefits — such as higher yields, reduced pesticide use and faster adaptation to climate stress — and that the UK’s earlier divergence from EU restrictions gave a competitive advantage. If the reset forces a step-back towards EU-style regulation, that advantage could be lost.

The concern is especially acute given that the UK has already committed to enabling precision-breeding technologies domestically; now, growers face the prospect of exporting to or trading with the EU under tougher standards, or of international competitors out-pacing Britain.

What the government says

The government has previously stated that it will aim for an exemption for gene-edited crops in the EU-alignment deal. Ministers have emphasised that the UK “continues with the legislation” and that “the door remains open” to preserving the Precision Breeding Act’s freedoms.

The challenges ahead

The EU’s regulatory regime for new genomic techniques remains more restrictive than the UK’s emerging framework, raising concerns that alignment could slow progress.

UK farmers who adopt gene-edited varieties may find their produce subject to EU import rules or certification requirements if full regulatory alignment is required.

Timing is also critical: with the Precision Breeding Act already in force, delays or uncertainty caused by alignment talks threaten to slow adoption and undermine research and investment.

Bottom line

While the UK currently has legislation enabling gene-edited crops, the proposed reset with the EU raises significant risks that British farmers will face de-facto bans or barriers if Brussels’ regulations become the benchmark.

For growers, researchers and the wider agritech community, the big question is whether the UK will protect its regulatory autonomy or see its post-Brexit innovation pathway diluted.