Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2023 5 NEWS Niab welcomes genetic technology (precision breeding) act CROP research organisation NIAB has welcomed Royal Assent being granted to the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Acta, saying the new legislative framework will accelerate the development of higher-yielding, more nutritious and climate-resilient crops in England. NIAB chief executive Professor Mario Caccamo said: “The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act brings our rules into line with other countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil and Argentina, by taking the products of more precise breeding techniques such as gene editing out of the scope of the restrictive rules applied to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), where those products could have occurred spontaneously in nature or as a result of conventional breeding methods. “It follows the introduction in April 2022 of a simplified regulatory process for conducting field trials of precision bred crops, which has already stimulated new research activity across a range of crop species and traits.” He said gene editing oers “significant opportunities” to support healthier, safer and more sustainable farming and food production systems, at a time when such advances are urgently and increasingly needed. “While Royal Assent represents a significant milestone, however, it is not the end of the process. The Act itself provides a framework for more detailed implementing rules to be introduced through secondary legislation over the coming months. To deliver on its objectives for research, investment and innovation, the Government must ensure that these arrangements are proportionate to the scientific evidence of risk, and do not single out these techniques for disproportionate or unnecessary requirements which go above and beyond those currently applied to conventionally bred plant varieties,” he said. ‘With heart and soil’ 50-year celebration POTATO cooperative Agrico has begun celebrating its 50-year anniversary, organising various events for growers, members, buyers and employees to take place throughout the year. The theme for the anniversary celebrations is ‘With Heart and Soil’. ‘Revisions to packaging bill needed’ EUROPATAT, the European Potato Trade Association, along with growing and fresh produce bodies, is calling for a revision to provisions made in a report detailing packaging waste. Copa-Cogeca, Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association are also asking for the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, published last November, to be reassessed. Restrictions without workable alternatives will result in protection of products and shelf-life being drastically reduced, as well as hygiene, organoleptic quality and traceability being compromised, the organisation states. All the organisations feel the restrictions would not improve the supply chain’s environmental impact, but would have the opposite eect, while increasing food waste. They say the proposed ban disproportionately targets the fruit and vegetable sector and is not based on a thorough and science-based impact assessment. Instead of focussing on prohibitions, the bill should instead look at incentives and a workable strategy such as ecological labelling or improving packaging management. Anti-waste drive EUROPATAT will also be part of a new EU Horizon Europe project called WASTELESS , which aims to develop tools and methodological recommendations for measuring and monitoring food loss and food waste along the food supply chain in the EU. The multidisciplinary consortium is formed of 17 institutions from 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Türkey. The project, with a total budget of 5,5 million Euro, was recently launched at the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in Vila Real, Portugal. Europatat’s role in WASTELESS will be related with the dissemination of project’s goals, results and other related information. Soils still lacking A NEWLY-PUBLISHED report has revealed that around two thirds of UK soils are still deficient in magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, continuing a trend of almost 30 years. The annual soil summary report has been compiled with consolidated data from thousands of soil samples across the UK by NRM, which has been gathering soil analysis data since 1995. This year’s summary includes data from soil samples collected between June 2021 and May 2022. For the first time, NRM has also published consolidated data on plant tissue from its analysis services. This shows that nutrients might not be available for crops to utilise. Agronomy Manager at NRM, Sajjad Awan, said: “There are some fascinating trends already, and these truly demonstrate the importance of analysing throughout the year to adjust plans before it’s too late. Not only does this help crop performance, but it also improves nutrient use e¨ciency.”