The confirmed marketing notice means the barley can now progress to wider evaluation, including further research and analysis, with the ultimate aim of commercial deployment.
It marks a significant step forward for the use of precision breeding technologies in supporting more productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
High energy forage crop
“This is a key landmark moment for UK crop innovation.”
NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins
Using gene editing technology, the barley has been modified to increase lipid content within the plant tissue.
The goal is to create a high energy forage crop for ruminant livestock such as cattle and sheep. Higher lipid levels in forage can improve feed efficiency and animal productivity, while also offering the potential to reduce methane emissions during digestion.
The genetic changes introduced are small edits that could also arise naturally or through conventional breeding methods. The crop was approved following an independent scientific assessment by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, confirming its compliance with regulatory standards.
Responsible innovation
Responding to the news, NFU Deputy President Paul Tompkins said: “This is a key landmark moment for UK crop innovation.
“To have achieved marketing approval for the first gene-edited crop shows that the UK’s regulatory framework can enable responsible innovation while delivering real, tangible benefits for farming and the environment.”
The NFU is lobbying the government for an exception to be applied to our gene editing legislation to ensure it isn’t affected by any UK-EU SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement which is currently being negotiated.
The barley is now being assessed through the PROBITY (Platform to Rate Organisms Bred for Improved Trait and Yield) initiative. This programme brings together researchers, farmers and supply chain partners to test precision bred crops in real farming conditions.
The project is led by the British On Farm Innovation Network and funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.
