Government FundingFebruary 2026
DEFRA Awards £912,259 to Precision Plants
Precision Plants awarded major government funding through DEFRA's Farming Innovation Programme for climate-resilient hemp development.
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Government-Backed Innovation
The Future of
British Hemp
Precision Plants unlocks profitable, compliant hemp cultivation for UK farmers using cutting-edge gene editing—backed by government, validated by science.
Trusted Partners
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Why UK Hemp Has Failed
Farmers for a Decade
UK farmers have wanted to grow hemp for years. It's profitable, sustainable, and government incentives make it attractive. But three critical problems have held them back:
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1. Imported Seed Doesn't Work
EU varieties are poorly adapted to British weather—resulting in stunted growth, poor yields, and crop loss.
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2. Catastrophic THC Risk
Hemp varieties can unexpectedly exceed the UK's legal THC limit, forcing entire crops to be destroyed.
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3. No Superior Genetics
Current breeding methods are slow and imprecise. No UK company has delivered compliant, high-yield varieties.
Precision Plants solved all three.
Learn about Stackatrait™ Technology →
Precision-Bred Solution
Mark (left) & Charles (right)
Thriving UK Harvest
Backed by Science. Backed by Government.
Our Technology
Stackatrait™ Technology
Our proprietary CRISPR/Cas9 platform delivers multiple precision trait modifications per variety across five core trait categories — guaranteeing <0.01% THC and eliminating crop destruction risk. Currently in laboratory development.
Learn more →£912k Innovate UK Grant
UK Government (Defra) validates our gene-editing approach to unlock hemp for British farmers.
Read official announcement →University & Research Partners
Backed by University of Hertfordshire genomics team and Rothamsted Research—the world's leading agricultural institute.
Learn more →Field Trials Underway
2025 research grow field trials of EU hemp variety at Rothamsted Research—the world's leading agricultural institute.
Learn more →Our Hemp Varieties
Superior UK-bred genetics for grain, fibre, and dual purpose.
Why Choose Precision Plants?
Genetically Incapable of Exceeding Legal THC Limits
Our CRISPR/Cas9 platform delivers multiple precision trait modifications per variety, with proprietary cannabinoid modification ensuring regulatory compliance and enhanced disease protection. No crop destruction risk. Ever.
Optimised for the British Climate
Unlike imported varieties, ours are bred specifically for UK weather, soil, and growing conditions.
Superior Yields
Estimated 15–20% yield improvement over currently available varieties, driving better farm profitability.
Backed by Government & Science
£912k Innovate UK grant. Validated by Rothamsted Research. Approved under the UK Precision Breeding Act.
Patent Protection & Plant Variety Rights
Your investment is protected. Consistent supply. Defensible competitive advantage.
The Opportunity for UK Agriculture
Hemp represents transformational opportunity for UK farmers: superior profitability, environmental benefits, and government support. Precision Plants unlocks this potential with genetics that actually work in British conditions.
£35M
UK Seed Market by 2030
Projected market value
80,000 ha
Govt Target 2030
100x growth from 2023
8-15 tonnes
CO₂ per Hectare
Carbon sequestered annually
+£1,440-6,480
Farmer Returns/ha
vs £400-600 for wheat (AHDB 2025)
Path to Commercial Launch
From breakthrough science to certified seed in farmers' hands
2022
Public Investment
HKEP & HKICS funding secured via Hertfordshire LEP & ERDF
2023
Gene Editing Commences
CRISPR applications begin with successful proof-of-concept experiments
2025
First Field Trial
Grew EU hemp variety at Rothamsted Research
2026-2027
Lab Development
CRISPR editing in the lab + EU varieties grown at Rothamsted
2028
Side-by-Side Trials
Our varieties vs EU varieties at Rothamsted
2029
National Expansion
Multi-site trials at Rothamsted locations + champion farmers UK-wide
2030-2031
APHA Testing
DUS and VCU testing for seed registration
2032
Commercial Launch
Registered seed available to UK farmers
Who We Work With
Partnering with UK farmers, processors, and buyers to build a thriving domestic hemp industry
For Farmers
Profitable, risk-free hemp cultivation
Growing hemp should be profitable and risk-free. Our Stackatrait™ varieties are designed to guarantee THC compliance at 0.01% or less, thrive in UK weather, and deliver superior returns over traditional arable crops.
£1,440-6,480/ha gross margins across varieties (vs £400-600/ha wheat, AHDB 2025)
Zero THC crop destruction risk with Stackatrait™ technology
Low input costs (no pesticides, minimal fertiliser)
Improved soil health for following crops
Simple licensing support and guidance
Arable Farmers
Looking for profitable break crops with designed-in compliance
Processors
Seeking reliable UK-grown hemp supply for food, fibre, or construction
Buyers & Merchants
Connecting farmers with premium markets and fair contracts
TechnologyFebruary 2026
Stackatrait™ Technology: Solving THC Compliance
Discover how Precision Plants' proprietary Stackatrait™ technology uses gene editing to create hemp varieties that are genetically incapable of exceeding UK THC limits.
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RegulationsJanuary 2026
Precision Breeding Act 2023: What It Means for UK Hemp
The Precision Breeding Act 2023 removes gene-edited crops from GMO regulations. Learn how this landmark legislation accelerates hemp innovation in the UK.
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Official Government Sources
Backed by Leading Institutions
Our partnerships with the UK's leading research institutions, government agencies, and industry bodies validate our science and commercial potential.
Innovate UK
£912k Grant Secured
University of Hertfordshire
Research Partner & Investor
Rothamsted Research
Field Trial Validation
DEFRA
Regulatory Authority
British Hemp Alliance
Industry Leadership
Ready to Grow the Future of
British Agriculture?
"There is only one known annually renewable natural resource… capable of providing the majority of the world's paper and textiles… energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution… and that substance is… Cannabis hemp."
Join our farm trial programme or register your interest for our 2032 commercial seed release.