The UK is supporting emerging innovations to safeguard the future of its food supply, with 69% of UK adults strongly backing gene editing as a means to build a sustainable and resilient future for British farming. A recent survey by British Sugar revealed that Gen Z is leading the charge, with an impressive 80% supporting the use of gene editing technology.
Across all age groups, sustainability emerged as the primary motivator, with 44% citing the environmental benefits of gene editing, such as improved crop efficiency and reduced water and fertilizer use. These advancements not only promote sustainable farming practices but also help cut emissions.
Affordability is another crucial factor, with 50% of respondents pointing to the rising costs of food in recent years as a major concern. Gene editing helps reduce crop diseases, improving supply stability and potentially leading to more consistent pricing for consumers, while also supporting long-term farming and food accessibility, according to a press release.
As more sectors of the farming industry embrace gene editing as a future solution, British Sugar is spearheading the sugar industry’s first agricultural research and development program of its kind, aimed at ensuring food security and preserving sugar beet farming across the UK. In collaboration with leading plant science institutions, the John Innes Centre (JIC) and Tropic Biosciences, this multi-million-pound research initiative has been bolstered by £660,000 in government funding to explore how gene editing can benefit the British sugar beet crop
Gene editing holds the potential to make a global impact, bringing the food industry closer to a more sustainable future and providing a safe solution to protect homegrown farmers for generations to come.
“The critical importance of access to food that is nutritious, affordable and available is an issue that affects us all,” Dan Green, Agriculture Director at British Sugar said. “We are encouraged to see that consumers are embracing the potential of technology and innovation, and their role in farming and food for the future.
“Farming has always had to evolve to meet changing climates, ecosystems and public expectations, and gene editing is the next evolution for the future. It will help British farmers tackle the impact of climate change by creating stronger, disease-resistant crops, reducing the use of pesticides, improving yields and ensuring greater security for farmers and consumers alike.
Green said this is the critical next step for the UK as a world leader in agricultural research development, technology and innovation and follows a long heritage of breakthroughs that have helped protect our crops, keep food prices fair, and secure British farming for the future.
“The resilience of the UK’s food supply depends on our farmers and growers being able to sustainably and reliably grow their crops,” Professor Steven Penfield, Building Robustness in Crops (BRiC) Programme Leader, John Innes Centre said. “Gene editing unlocks agricultural innovation, accelerating the development of new crop varieties with higher yields and enhanced pest and disease resistance, also enabling farmers to reduce the environmental impact of their agricultural practices.”
Despite these benefits, misconceptions persist, creating a divide between concerns over ethics (38%) and health (34%). Unlike genetic modification, gene editing does not introduce foreign genes from other species into the plant. It is a safe, scientifically supported innovation, endorsed by agricultural leaders. By strengthening crops and enhancing their resistance to disease, gene editing ensures a more resilient food supply for the future.
