The Current Status of GM and GE Crops

Abstract

In recent months there have been regular announcements of new crops developed via new breeding techniques (NBTs) such as gene editing (GE) and the debate continues whether they should be considered as GM or not in the UK and Europe. It is not surprising that countries who approve cultivation of GM crops are also approving new crops derived from GE technologies, so will gain an advantage from cultivation of these new crop varieties over the UK and Europe. The USA, Brazil and Argentina have a flexible approach for the regulation of crops derived from new breeding techniques such as GE. Canada has recently (March 2021) reassessed their risk assessment policies for genetically engineered (GE) plants and food products and have started approvals.