68 / SEEDWORLD.COM INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2026 STATUS UK Scientists at Rothamsted Research developed a gene- edited barley that is the first crop to receive a Precision Bred Organism marketing notice under the UK’s new precision-breeding rules. Developed using CRISPR, the barley has higher lipid levels in its plant tissues, creat ing a higher-energy forage crop for cattle and sheep. This could improve feed efficiency and potentially reduce meth ane emissions from digestion. The edits are small changes that could also occur natu rally or through conventional breeding, and the crop was cleared after scientific review. Researchers edited genes that break down plant oils, allowing the barley to retain more lipids and deliver greater metabolisable energy. The program is also assess ing precision-bred wheat vari eties aimed at improving grain quality and yield. The initiative is gathering evidence on how precision-bred crops could perform and be used across the UK food system. STATUS EUROPE A Danish potato grower has settled with Breeders Trust after advertising protected Solist seed potatoes in a Facebook group, highlight ing that even online listings can infringe plant breeders’ rights. The post offered about 20,000 kg and triggered legal action after being reported by Danespo. Although removed quickly, the offer itself consti tuted infringement. The dis A look at seed industry developments around the globe. UK approves first precision-bred barley, Online seed sale triggers infringement settlement and Chile formalizes review of new breeding techniques pute escalated with support from law firm Bech-Bruun, before the grower accepted a settlement and damages covering legal costs were set by a Copenhagen court. The case underscores strict seed potato certification rules aimed at protecting plant health and preventing disease spread. Breeders Trust warns that online sales of uncerti fied or misused ware potatoes remain common, posing legal and phytosanitary risks across the supply chain. Group administrators also issued guidance, stressing certified planting material and shared responsibility among growers and platform operators. STATUS CHILE Chile has moved to formal ize how it evaluates plant materials developed through New Breeding Techniques, a step aimed at strengthen ing oversight, improving legal certainty and supporting the responsible use of agricultural biotechnology. The Agriculture Ministry, through SAG, has proposed a resolution that makes trans parent a technical review process the agency has used for more than eight years. The goal is to clearly distinguish NBT products from transgenic ones already covered under Chile’s GMO rules. ChileBio said the move will help farmers access improved products faster and support innovation in food security, sustainability and climate adaptation. SAG opened a 60-day national and international public consultation. STATUS AUSTRALIA A new global study has mapped pathogen hotspots in soils and shown how some soils naturally suppress dis ease, while also warning that climate change could increase future risks. The researchers say the findings could support better disease surveillance and microbiome-based strategies to reduce plant disease under changing climate conditions. Their models also suggest climate change may expand the range of several major bacterial plant pathogens. STATUS PAKISTAN A new IoT-enabled smart glasshouse at Pakistan’s National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology is helping scientists test crops under simulated extreme conditions to develop more climate-resilient varieties. The facility, estab lished under the Sino-Pak Agricultural Breeding Innovations for Rapid Yield Enhancement initiative, uses AI, sensors, programmable controllers and data analytics to manage climate, humidity, carbon dioxide, light and water in real time. Spanning 2,640 square feet, the glasshouse includes eight independently program mable chambers that let researchers expose crops to extreme conditions and iden tify stronger varieties. SW
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