Press release

Defra approves GM potato trial

The research is on potatoes that have been genetically modified to resist late potato blight.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 21 May 2010

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Following a public consultation, Defra has given approval to the Sainsbury Laboratory to conduct a research trial this year of GM potatoes.  The research is on potatoes that have been genetically modified to resist late potato blight.

The Sainsbury Laboratory application has been evaluated by the independent expert group the Advisory Committee of Releases to the Environment (ACRE).  It is satisfied that the proposed trial will not result in any adverse effect on human health or the environment.

In line with ACRE’s advice, precautionary conditions have been attached to the statutory consent for the trial.  These aim to ensure that GM potato material does not persist at the trial site.  The harvested GM potatoes will not be used for food or animal feed.

Notes

Further background on the Sainsbury Laboratory application and the statutory consent can be found at:

archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/regulation/registers/consents/index.htm

The relevant ACRE advice is available at:  archive.defra.gov.uk/acre/pubs.htm.

Published 21 May 2010