29/09/2026: Precision breeding, Community farm, Mentoring on farm

UK scientists leading research on precision breeding - or genetic editing - say uncertainty around the law in England could put investors off and jeopardise our competitive edge. The technology has rapidly taken hold of plant breeding and development, and has been used to develop vitamin D-rich tomatoes, and bananas that don’t turn brown. But there are still many questions surrounding the technique, for farmers, for trade and consumers too. And there are questions around the regulation of precision breeding. Earlier this year, there was a successful challenge to the lawfulness of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Regulations 2025. Following a judicial review, a High Court judge ruled that the ministerial decision-making process leading to the regulations on mandatory labelling and traceability had been unlawful. CORRECTION NOTE: The successful judicial review brought by Beyond GM and others this year challenged only the precision breeding regulations introduced in 2025, not the 2023 Act and the decision to allow precision breeding, as stated in the programme.

We visit what's widely thought to be the UK's first comunity owned farm, in Shropshire. Siblings Charlotte and Ben Hollins set up a crowd funding enterprise when their landlord told them they'd have to buy the farm or leave, after their tenant farmer father died. Twenty years on it's thriving.

And this week we're looking at the different ways that young people are accessing a career in agriculture. The charity, Countryside Learning Scotland, has launched a two year programme to encourage new entrants into rural employment in the Perth and Kinross area.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Sally Challoner.