The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) in Norwich has received approval from DEFRA farming minister, George Eustice, for a trial of genetically-modified potatoes between 2017 and 2021. The trial site at the John Innes Centre has to meet restrictions, notably a 20 metre wide strip around the GM plants with the plot not over 1,000 sq metres.
These field trials are part of TSL’s “Potato Partnership Project” to develop a Maris Piper that is blight and nematode resistant, bruises less and produces less acrylamide when cooked at high temperatures. The project is majority funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) with additional funding from industry partners BioPotatoes (UK) and Simplot (US).
George Eustice wrote he has “taken advice from the advisory committee on Releases to the Environment and Natural England” and agreed the terms, limitations and conditions of consent with the Food Standards Agency in terms of health and safety to humans.
Photo caption – the Sainsbury Laboratory complex in Norwich