Beyond GM launches PBO Field Trial Tracker

November 2, 2025 by Beyond GM

Beyond GM has added a new feature to its website.

The PBO Field Trial Tracker aims to bring much-needed transparency to the growing number of open-air field trials of genetically modified and precision-bred crops in England.

With the passage of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 and the subsequent regulations in 2025, the number of field trials of precision-bred organisms (PBOs) has begun to rise rapidly. Right now there are 22 active trials of experimental genetically modified PBOs in England.

The official government register, hidden on a hard-to-find, hard-to-read government webpage, provides only minimal information – brief project titles, limited descriptions and no maps or searchable database of locations. That gap means farmers, beekeepers, consumers and supply-chain actors have little visibility into what’s happening in nearby fields, who is conducting the work, or how it might affect organic or non-GM production.

We are constantly being asked about field trials. With this new feature we aim to:

  • Present a clear, up-to-date list of field trials of precision-bred crops in England, organised by year, ID, project title, crop, summary and duration
  • Use readable plain English summaries, explaining what each trial is changing in the plant and why – for a general audience rather than researchers
  • Give allies in other countries a quick reference to what’s happening in England
  • Keep building Beyond GM’s commitment to ongoing monitoring and transparency of genetically modified PBOs

The page will be updated as new trials emerge and, as trials and eventually food products begin to increase, we anticipate it will evolve to include background information and analysis of the regulatory and supply-chain implications.

We will continue to press the government, as part of our day-to-day work and through the Judicial Review process for citizens to have better access to:

  • Clear information on trial locations, operators and oversight.
  • Long-term outcomes from field trials, including potential impacts on neighbouring farms, organic systems and the wider environment.
  • Enhanced traceability when precision-bred crops move into commercial use.

Visit the new tracker page to explore the latest trials. To stay informed about precision bred crops and foods in the UK, subscribe to Beyond GM’s newsletter – and join the conversation on X, Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. And if you believe in transparency and choice, please donate to our Judicial Review fighting fund!