Researchers have identified regions in the genetic makeup of chickens that are linked to resistance to Campylobacter - the leading bacterial cause of food poisoning.

Data obtained in the study informs the extent to which parts of the genetic code can be linked to the prevalence of Campylobacter in the chicken gut.

A study led by researchers from the Roslin Institute, alongside poultry breeding company Aviagen, investigated the genetic make-up of 3,000 chickens bred for meat.

New opportunities to create compaction-resistant crops that are able to grow in the hardest of soils could be on the horizon thanks to a scientific breakthrough.

Researchers discovered how the plant signal ethylene causes roots to stop growing in hard soils. But this signal can be “switched off” to allow roots to punch through compacted soil.

The research team was led by scientists from the University of Nottingham’s Future Food Beacon and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Their study has been published in the latest Science journal.

Genetically edited crops have long been talked about in the arable sector, but growers could be one step closer to having them in their fields, following the launch of the Government’s consultation.

Disease resistance, climate change resilience and lower fertiliser requirements were all benefits of the plant breeding technique mentioned by Defra chief scientific advisor, Prof Gideon Henderson during the Government’s press briefing on the potential changes to regulation.

“Gene editing could also increase productivity of land use and free up land potentially for rewilding, tree planting or other public goods,” he said.

A potential roll out of gene editing could bring opportunities for the livestock sector if the technology is used ethically and responsibly, industry bodies have said.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, environment secretary George Eustice announced the launch of a consultation into future regulation on gene editing.

Mr Eustice voiced his support for gene editing technology regulation to be reviewed in England, saying it could unlock substantial benefits to the environment, produce healthier food and help farmers with crops resistant to pests, disease or extreme weather.

The government has approved an emergency application for sugar beet growers to use neonicotinoid treated seed to combat virus yellows in 2021.

It follows a devastating season for the crop – which has seen major losses to the disease. Neonicotinoid seed treatments were banned in 2019 over concerns that the chemicals are harmful to bees and other pollinators.

In a statement, Defra said it had carefully considered all the issues and would let growers use the “Cruiser SB” seed treatment subject to a number of conditions.

Scientists have welcomed Defra's new consultation on gene editing as the technology will lead to increased crop yields and improved resilience to pests and diseases.

Rothamsted Research, one of the oldest agricultural research institutions in the world, says gene editing technologies will soon be contributing to a more sustainable and productive farming sector.

"We’ve already seen the huge benefits genome editing brings to areas such as medicine – it’s now time to apply the same sort of innovation, together with responsible regulation, to our food production," Director Professor Angela Karp said.

Defra Secretary George Eustice has said there is ‘no scientific justification whatsoever’ for the EU’s ban on UK seed potato exports.

The Secretary of State told attendees of the opening session of the online Oxford Farming Conference that the UK Government had applied ‘on the first available day’ for recognition of equivalence, which would overturn the ban.

The EU introduced the prohibition on the product, deemed to be a plant health risk, after the UK Government refused to dynamically align itself with the bloc’s regulations.

The U.K. is looking at changing regulations to allow gene editing in farming, in a sign of shifting agricultural policy following the nation’s departure from the European Union.

The government plans to consult on whether to regulate certain gene-editing organisms differently from genetically modified products, it said in a statement ahead of a speech by Environment Secretary George Eustice.

Allowing gene editing could unlock substantial benefits to the environment and help farmers with crops that are resistant to pests, disease or extreme weather, he said.

The UK government has launched a consultation on using gene editing to modify livestock and food crops in England.

Gene editing alters the DNA of organisms and, until now, its use had been tightly restricted under EU law.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the approach could be used to develop crops that are more resistant to disease and extreme weather.

NASA has agreed to help develop space technology and utilise scientific experience to 'transform and bolster' the future of agriculture.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening its partnership with NASA.

Researchers will explore gaps of importance to the agricultural community that could be addressed through innovative Earth observation systems and technologies developed over the next decade.