Research and analysis

Qualifying higher plant notification (reference: 25/Q04)

Published 6 March 2025

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/qualifying-higher-plant-notification-reference-25q04/qualifying-higher-plant-notification-reference-25q04

Information to be provided to the Secretary of State alongside a notice of intention to release a qualifying higher plant under schedule 3A of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022.

1. Title of the project

Field scale trials of CADENZA low asparagine qualifying higher plant (QHP) lines 23 (ACRYLOW Cadenza (PBO) 23) and 59 (ACRYLOW Cadenza (PBO) 59).  

2. Aim of the project (including any matters being investigated as part of the project)

The project is part of the Innovate UK ‘Platform to Rate Organisms Bred for Improved Traits and Yield (PROBITY)’ project (Project number 10097973).

The aim is to bulk up winter wheat cultivar Cadenza low asparagine QHP lines 23 (ACRYLOW Cadenza (PBO) 23) and 59 (ACRYLOW Cadenza (PBO) 59).

Grain from the trial will be tested at scale in food processing pilot plants, with acrylamide that forms during processing compared in grain from the QHP and control lines. All seed will be destroyed through processing or disposed of through deep landfill by an experienced contractor. No grain or products will be allowed to enter the food chain.  

3. Full name of the qualifying higher plant to be released under the project 

(a) family name: Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae

(b) genus: Triticum 

(c) species: Triticum aestivum (bread wheat, common wheat) 

(d) subspecies: not applicable

4. Expected date the project will start

11 March 2025 or thereafter as field conditions allow. 

5. Expected duration of the project

The project will conclude in September 2027. 

6. Confirmation of appropriate measures

Confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for the project will put in place appropriate measures [footnote 1] to minimise the possibility of material from the qualifying higher plant being placed on the market. For example, by cross-fertilising sexually compatible commercial crops.

Confirmed.

7. Confirmation that the project meets the criteria set out in ACRE guidance

Confirmation that the person with overall responsibility for the project has read the ACRE guidance on genetic technologies that result in ‘qualifying higher plants’ and has assessed that the higher plants covered by this notification meet these criteria. 

Yes.

  1. Notifiers may wish to refer to published ACRE advice concerning measures for the minimisation of cross-pollination from UK GMO crop trials authorised under retained EU legislation. ↩

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