Section 3 Restrictions on release of precision bred organism in EnglandI1 I2

England and Wales

(1)

A person who has a precision bred organism under their control must not release the organism in England unless—

(a)

the following apply—

(i)

the notification requirements are satisfied in relation to the release (see section 4),

(ii)

the person is a person specified in the release notice under section 4 (2), and

(iii)

the release is carried out in accordance with the release notice, or

(b)

the organism is—

(i)

a marketable precision bred organism (see section 5 (2)), or

(ii)

the qualifying progeny of a marketable precision bred organism (see section 24).

(2)

For the purposes of this Act an organism is under a person’s “control” if the person keeps it contained by measures designed to—

(a)

limit its contact with humans and the environment, and

(b)

prevent or minimise the risk of adverse effects as regards the health of humans or the environment.

(3)

For the purposes of this section and section 4, a person “releases” an organism under their control by deliberately causing or permitting it to—

(a)

cease to be under their control or the control of anyone else, and

(b)

enter the environment.

Annotations

I1: S. 3 in force at Royal Assent for specified purposes, see s. 48(3)(a)
I2: S. 3 in force at 13.11.2025 for specified purposes by S.I. 2025/575, reg. 2(2)(a)