Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the implementation of a common UK–EU SPS agreement is compatible with the operation of the Precision Breeding Act.

Defra remains committed to implementing the Precision Breeding Act and enabling the safe development of innovative genetic technologies.

Under the UK-EU Common Understanding, it is recognised that there will be areas where the UK will retain its own rules. The detail of those areas is now part of ongoing negotiations. Throughout this process, the Government has been clear on the importance of maintaining the UK’s ability to regulate precision breeding in a way that supports innovation, gives farmers access to new tools, and upholds high standards of safety.