Precision breeding release notice (reference: PBR/26/009)
Published 18 August 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/precision-bred-release-notice-reference-pbr26009/precision-breeding-release-notice-reference-pbr26009
Information provided to the Secretary of State alongside a notice of intention to release a precision bred plant under schedule 1 of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025.
1. Name and address of the person proposing to release the precision bred plant
Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ
2. Description of others assisting in the release of the precision bred plant
Research institutes, farmers, private/public partnerships.
3. General description of the precision bred plant
a) Genus and species
Brassica napus
b) Intended alterations to characteristics of the plant
Enhanced oleic acid content in seed oil.
c) Types of genetic changes introduced to cause these alterations
Deletions were introduced upstream of FATTY ACID DESATURASE 2 (FAD2) genes using gene editing. The deletions alter the expression pattern of FAD2 genes so that the transcript abundance is lowered in developing seeds. FAD2 encodes a microsomal omega-6 fatty acid desaturase responsible for converting oleic acid to linoleic acid and reduced expression leads to oleic acid accumulation (and a reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids) in lipids.
d) Techniques of modern biotechnology used to make these genetic changes
Brassica napus plants were stably transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens, with a transfer-DNA (T-DNA) construct containing cassettes for expression of a site-directed endonuclease, multiple guide RNAs, and a selectable marker. The gRNAs were designed to target regions of genomic DNA situated upstream of the coding sequence of FAD2 gene copies. Deletions were created when two induced double stranded breaks were fused by non-homologous end joining. The T-DNA insertions were then removed from these edited lines by genetic segregation.
4. Confirmation: preventing marketing
The person with overall responsibility for the release must confirm they will put in place any necessary appropriate measures to prevent material from the precision bred plant being marketed until such time as a precision bred confirmation is issued in respect of the plant.
Confirmed
5. Confirmation: meeting precision breeding criteria
The person with overall responsibility for the release must confirm they have assessed that all plants covered by the release notice meet the criteria for a precision bred organism as set out in section 1 (2) of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
Confirmed