It’s been a month of meaningful signals across the agri‑tech landscape from regulation and research to innovation infrastructure.
The UK issued its first ever Precision Bred Organism marketing notice giving the green light to move a specific gene‑edited crop from research trials towards commercialisation to be sold in the UK once it’s ready. It’s not on shelves yet, but the approval signals the regulatory pathway is functioning and companies can start planning for deployment.
Regulation is in the spotlight elsewhere too, with the four UK governments launching a reform of fertiliser legislation to make it easier for newer and novel products to reach the market. The current - old - rules are built around traditional mineral fertilisers, which leaves biostimulants, biofertilisers and other biological inputs in a grey area. The proposed shift to a new UK Fertilising Product Regulation is a chance to create a clearer, more innovation‑friendly system. A public consultation and call for evidence is open until 10 June.
Plus some big news for the industry from members - Elsoms Seeds announced a new innovation centre, and PGRO revealed plans for a Pulse Performance Network, with more details revealed at Cereals in June.
But before that... Check out the latest agri-tech news, events and opportunities below - enjoy!
|