Biotech Updates

EU JRC Notification for Limited Environmental Release of GM Potatoes

March 16, 2012

The European Commission JRC published one summary notification for the limited environmental release of genetically modified potato with resistance to Phytophthora infestans, the causal pathogen of late blight disease. The environmental release will be conducted to quantify the impact of GM potato cultivation on bacterial, fungal, nematode and earthworm diversity in the soil, compared to a conventional potato system; identify integrated pest management (IPM) strategies and components which could be positively or negatively affected by the adoption of GM late blight resistant potato; and to educate various stakeholders on the issues and concerns that the public has on GM crop cultivation in Ireland.

The study will be conducted in June 2012 to December 2016 in Oak Park, Co. Carlow, Ireland by the Teagasc Company, Ireland.

See the notification at http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/IE/12/01.