Written question asked by James Wild (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2025. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Sugar Beet: Disease Control

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures are being taken to ensure that the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act supports research and field trials involving the genetic editing of sugar beet to improve resistance to Virus Yellows disease.

Answer

The secondary legislation needed to implement The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants in England commenced on 13 November 2025. This marks a major milestone, enabling research trials to take place and providing a route to market for precision bred products.

Through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), we are funding innovative research projects and earlier this year, the Department announced a £12.5 million competition focused specifically on precision breeding. Previous projects funded under FIP includes a research project by Tropic, British Sugar and the John Innes Centre to develop sugar beets through precision breeding that are resistant against Virus Yellows.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 92305
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Genetically modified organisms Disease control Research Sugar beet
Legislation: Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Sugar Beet: Disease Control

Secondary information

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