Some farmers say the Welsh government should abandon its opposition to genetically modified crops in favour of drought-resistant crops and diseases and help control the looming food crisis. With England about to pass legislation to edit plant and animal genes on its territory, Wales Cabinet Minister David TC Davies says Welsh farmers would be harmed if this technology were not available to them, but rather in England.

Legislation has been proposed in England that allows genetically modified plants and animals to be grown and raised for food. There are no similar plans in Wales, and a Farmer from Pembrokeshire said the technology can help produce crops that can withstand extreme weather conditions. 

The Welsh government said it would continue to take a cautious approach. Currently, the gene editing process is subject to the same regulations and restrictions as genetically modified organisms (GMOs or gmos). However, the UK government plans to change this with its genetic technology (precision reproduction) bill. 

A professor at the University of Aberystwyth said that gene editing should not be confused with genetic modification (transgenic), and that it does not involve the addition of DNA. But opponents claim that gene editing is a genetic modification (GM) with "better public relations." High in Camrose Hills, Pembrokeshire, Tom Rees' Dudwell farm is full of wheat and potato plantations. 

Source: Agrolink