GB growers will be most affected by plans to align on the regulation of pesticides and biocides.
Since 2021, the UK’s regulatory system for plant protection products has developed in near parallel to that of the EU but with some key differences that have allowed growers to continue to produce the food, feed and energy that underpins the agricultural sector.
The NFU has warned repeatedly against a 'cliff-edge' or 'hard stop' scenario where GB decisions, including active substance approvals, are turned off and the GB market must immediately align with EU plant protection product requirements in mid-2027 with no transition period.
Organic growers will also need to align with the EU’s organic regulatory framework.
For all sectors other than poultry, the overall impact on day-to-day production for organic producers is expected to be limited. However, the new regulation introduces clearer definitions, new thresholds, and more precise wording that producers should be aware of.
Gene editing at risk
The NFU is also 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. England has been ahead of the curve on these innovative techniques following the passage of the Precision Breeding Act, which came into effect for plants last year.
However, in the EU, precision breeding (often referred to as “new genomic techniques” or NGTs) continues to be covered by GMO (genetically modified organism) rules, which are not fit for purpose or proportionate to the risks of precision-bred organisms (which do not contain DNA from an external source).
The NFU is concerned about the risk that this situation could cause a loss of momentum and increase in uncertainty that would be a barrier to investment in innovation and R&D pipelines for precision breeding.
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