Biotech Updates

DEFRA Approves GM Potato Trial

May 28, 2010

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recently given an approval to the Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK to conduct a research trial of a GM potato resistant to late potato blight. The Advisory Committee of Release to the Environment (ACRE) has evaluated the application and found that the proposed trial will not result in any adverse effect on human health or the environment. Precautionary conditions were provided in the statutory consent to ensure that the GM potato will not persist at the trial site and the harvested potatoes will not be used for food or animal food.

The news article can be seen at http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/05/21/defra-approves-gm-potato-trial/.  Further background on the Sainsbury Laboratory application and the statutory consent can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/regulation/registers/consents/index.htm. Advice on the Application is accessible at http://www.defra.gov.uk/acre/pdf/advice/acre-advice-10-r29-01.pdf.