The lack of such crop opportunities on EU farms could put UK growers at a disadvantage. But rushing into the technology would be foolhardy.

EU consumers view food safety differently from their counterparts elsewhere. So EU and UK officials are right to progress with caution. But all the meticulous checking in the world will be wasted if nobody believes the results.

Now is the time to create a believable and impartial umbrella body to explain the results to consumers. Failing to do so could squander a vital opportunity for UK farmers to remain competitive on world markets.