The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed that Category 1 NGT plants present no additional hazards compared to those produced through conventional breeding.

Euroseeds welcomed the findings, calling discriminatory regulations for NGT-derived plants unjustified and contrary to scientific evidence.

In a report presented to the EU Parliament’s Envi Committee, EFSA concluded that genetic modifications in NGT plants align with those found in conventionally bred plants, justifying their equivalence.

Methane emissions from dairy farms are higher than thought, according to a study by the University of East Anglia (UEA), published today (3 October).

However, if captured and turned into biogas, emitted methane could be worth more than £400m a year to the sector in saved fuel costs, or around £52,500 for an average dairy farm, the study suggests.

Capture technology already exists, and if rolled out, researchers say conversion of methane to biofuel could reduce emissions equivalent to an estimated 5.8%.

The AHDB has set up a new carbon baselining pilot to help farmers deliver on environmental targets by demonstrating the scale and potential of natural carbon stocks across British agriculture.

Environment director Chris Gooderham explains how agriculture is facing a challenge demonstrating the positive impact farming systems have on the environment – a task made more difficult by a lack of accurate on-farm data.

To support the industry in tackling this issue, the project will provide a starting point for tracking changes in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration over time, and identify where there are opportunities for improvements.

A shrinking area of oilseed rape plantings this autumn is set to increase the UK’s dependence on imports of rapeseed oil, including from countries producing the crop using chemicals banned for use here.

Owen Cligg, of the farmer co-operative United Oilseeds, confirmed that OSR plantings are expected to be lower this season, estimating production between 200,000ha-250,000ha, compared with a surviving area of 280,000ha for the 2024 harvest.

“We are probably only going to be looking at 750,000t of rapeseed oil grown in Britain this year, allowing for a yield variation of between 3-3.5t/ha,” Mr Cligg told Farmers Weekly. “On that basis, rapeseed oil will be down.”

Crops which have been genetically edited will be grown in farms across England under new laws to be announced by the Government. Tomatoes engineered to provide more vitamin D and sugar beet which requires less pesticide will be among the first plants with modified DNA.

Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “With these measures, our agriculture sector will be at the forefront of innovation across the world.”

The legislation will allow the use of gene editing to create crops designed to be more nutritious, resistant to pests and disease and able to cope with the effects of climate change.

A Shropshire-based company has shown it is possible to produce palatable protein products from broccoli stalks, which have until now mostly been discarded by farmers at harvesting.

In a joint project with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and the James Hutton Institute, Upcycled Plant Power (UPP) has produced protein on a pilot scale from the 70% or so of the broccoli plant that is currently not used.

It is also developing a broccoli harvester that collects this extra biomass for processing. UPP aims to sell the end product to food manufacturers to displace alternative proteins such as soya.

International Seed Federation members are calling for harmonised regulations on new breeding technologies such as genome editing to accelerate impactful innovation.

A survey by the International Seed Federation (ISF) has gathered insights from experts across seven regions.

Those surveyed called for the adoption of consistent global policies on plant breeding innovation, specifically on the use of new breeding technologies like genome editing.

A new five-year £3 million genetic research programme aims to advance the breeding of more sustainable and resilient varieties of soft fruit crops in the UK.

The Defra-funded Soft Fruit Genetic Improvement Network (GIN) aims to advance new biotechnology tools and generate significant genetic data and resources.

The results are set to help breeders introduce beneficial traits so crops can be grown more productively, with less environmental impact.

More than 50 industry representatives met this week to discuss how they can “reboot” the UK’s oilseeds sector after several challenging years and a significant fall in cropping area.

The UK oilseed rape crop had the smallest harvest area for 40 years this year. It has also suffered from low yields and disease pressure, which has driven more growers to move away.

Farmers, agronomists, traders, and breeders were encouraged to collaborate at the meeting in order to help bolster OSR production. A number of factors were discussed to improve the viability of the crop, from disease control to breeding developments and policy changes.

Roughly 71% of consumers have little to no familiarity with the term “regenerative agriculture” or its practices, says Purdue University’s monthly Consumer Food Insights Report. Those that do know the concept may not be willing to help pay for it via higher food prices, regardless of the associated environmental benefits.

The report, which surveyed US consumers from around the country, comes courtesy of Purdue’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability (CFDAS), and assesses food spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies, and trust in information sources.

Nearly half (43%) of those surveyed said they are “not at all familiar” with regenerative agriculture; another 28% said they are only “slightly familiar” with the term and concept.

Scientific and industry leaders are urging ministers in the new Labour government to act quickly and decisively in bringing forward the secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 in England.

In an open letter addressed to ministers in the Departments for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), more than 50 leading organisations and individuals across the scientific, food processing, farming, breeding, veterinary and input supply sectors have welcomed the signing into law of the Precision Breeding Act in March 2023 as a significant milestone for sustainable innovation in food and agriculture but note that until detailed implementing rules are introduced at Westminster, this legislation serves no functional purpose.

Brazil tops of the list of the world’s “breadbasket” regions best poised to meet a global demand for food expected to increase 60% over the next decade, according to a new report from US-based think tank Atlantic Council.

To maintain the country’s place as a both a reliable producer and exporter, “Brazilian leaders in the public and private sectors must make choices and investments that both retain Brazil’s innovative edge and sustain the natural ecosystems that enable its agriculture to thrive out to the year 2050.”

To do so, notes the report, food producers must have “the markets, incentives, technical support and capital needed to adopt advanced farming and ranching practices that enable them to produce more and be rewarded for their nature-positive practices.” There must also be investment into digital agriculture solutions, robotics and automation.