Farm staff at Rothamsted Research notched up a UK first this month by
sowing seeds of genetically edited/Camelina sativa/just weeks after
regulations for scientific field trails were eased, allowing much more
freedom for researchers to plan their field experiments.

Using a seed drill specifically designed for the relatively small seed
numbers used in field trial work, the plot was prepared and seeded in
just a few hours. However, the big difference was the time saved in
applying for permission to conduct the trial.

Under previous regulations, trial sites had to be specifically
identified and permission sought from DEFRA following a detailed
application procedure. Now, under the governmentâ??s new Qualifying Higher
Plant (QHP) status - the post-EU non-GM classification for GE crops,
plants can be sown anywhere on Rothamstedâ??s farm. For the current trial,
the approval process for QHP status took just a few minutes as opposed
to the months required under the older pre-Brexit regulations which
lumped GM and GE crops together.

First sowing of genetically edited crop under new UK regulations |
Rothamsted Research
[www.rothamsted.ac.uk]