THE Scottish Government has been accused of dragging its feet over gene editing technology.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson believes that New Zealand, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands are actively supporting new rules in stark contrast to Scotland’s position.
And he fears this inaction is going to end up failing farmers, growers and researchers here.
Speaking in a Scottish Government debate on protecting and growing Scotland’s iconic food and drink sector, Mr Carson raised his concerns.
He also questioned what progress the Scottish Government had made regarding the growth of the food and drink sector, saying: “Given what we heard from farming stakeholders and members of the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board in last week’s Rural Affairs Committee, they suggested the Scottish Government didn’t speak the languages of farmers and also real concerns about the progress we made, what faith should we have in any policies going forward?”
Responding, Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Economy, revealed they were intent on working with farmers and crofters in developing future policy.
She said: “I think that we’re only in the position that we’re in, and I understand that some people would like us to go further, faster.
“But I think in terms of trying to get things right and working with out key partners, I think we are making good progress.”
It is not the first time Mr Carson has spoken out in support of gene editing technologies in agriculture.
Previously, he said: “As a renowned leader in agricultural science, Scotland now risks becoming increasingly isolated in research terms, and less attractive to prospective inward R&D investment, if the Scottish Government maintains its current opposition to these technologies.
“Scotland’s farmers, too, may be disadvantaged without access to the same innovations as producers elsewhere, with key crops such as strawberries and potatoes likely to be among the first gene edited products to come forward, offering sustainability and yield improvements.
“To prevent Scotland being left behind, Scottish Government must act now to bring its rules into line with an increasing number of countries which have already adopted more enabling regulation of new genetic technologies, or are in the process of doing so.”
