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Genetically modified potato trial restarted in county
A TRIAL of genetically modified potatoes which was vandalised last year has restarted, the Yorkshire Post can reveal.
The Leeds University trial aims to grow potatoes which are resistant to a microscopic worm which stunts their growth and costs British farmers 65m per year.
Scientists hope the research could allow much bigger yields to be grown, helping ensure food supplies in the future particularly in developing countries.
With GM food still proving controversial, the trial in North Yorkshire was abandoned last year when vandals struck, but now the Government has revealed it is under way again.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has to give approval for trials to take place and approved an application last year for a study lasting three years in which 400 plants could be grown at a farm in North Yorkshire.
A Defra spokesman said: "The aim of the research is to test the field performance of the GM potatoes and the effectiveness of the nematode resistance mechanism.
"The Leeds University application was considered by the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, which confirmed the trial would not compromise human health or the environment.
"The GM potatoes won't be used for food or animal feed, and the statutory consent specifies precautionary conditions to ensure that GM material does not persist at the trial site after the trial."
In a statement last year, the university said: "The University of Leeds fully supports its academics in carrying out transgenic research. While we are aware of the public interest in this issue, it is vital that any debate is based on scientific fact rather than speculation and our academics have an important contribution to make in this respect.
"A strategic aim of the University of Leeds is to create, advance and disseminate knowledge which has an impact on global society. Rigorous, objective research into transgenic crops would support this and it is vital that academics are given the freedom to work without prejudice. If the nematode project is given approval, the publicly-funded research will be done for scientific purposes, not commercial gain, and in a strictly-controlled environment."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has argued that strictly controlled trials should be able to go ahead to determine the environmental impact of GM.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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