Defra gives go-ahead for trials of genetically-modified potatoes

Scientists from the University of Leeds have successfully applied to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for permission to conduct more tests on crops of potatoes that have been genetically modified to try to make them resistant to pests.

The trials will assess a potato plant that will protect itself from nematodes, a worm-like pest which attacks the tubers as they grow in the soil.

Dr Peter Urwin, of the University of Leeds, said the trials were being conducted as an alternative method of protecting crops following the banning of major pesticides by EU directives last year.

Dr Uwrin told the Yorkshire Post that the removal of these pesticides from the market place would have "disproportional consequences for our potato industry because of the higher incidence of this pest in the UK than prevails in most of Europe".

"The consent will allow us to explore the potential of biotechnology to overcome the problem that growers have with this pathogen – a problem likely to increase in view of the EU directives."

Dr Urwin stressed the experiments were academic in nature and that there was no company or commercial interest in the work he and his fellow scientists were conducting.

"British agriculture makes a large contribution to the overall British economy," he said.

"The sector should be fully supported.

"As academic scientists we can respond to the needs of our farming community and see how advances, in our respective fields of expertise, can be used strategically to benefit the growers and producers of our food," he explained.

"As food security becomes increasingly important more research of this nature should be carried out.

"The results of publicly-funded, independent academic research in the UK can then be used to help farmers in developing countries where the pressure to deliver food security, in an environmentally friendly manner, is more intense."

He added that the results of the previous trial had been evaluated and are now being submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The tests will take place over the next two years and will again conducted behind closed doors and under security to protect them from saboteurs who targeted a previous experiment in Yorkshire.

"Our field trials have be the subject of unlawful vandalism in the past. We will take necessary precautions to ensure that the investment in the publicly-funded research is protected and additionally that accurate and objective results can be scientifically recorded."

A spokesman for Defra said: "After public consultation, Defra has given approval to Leeds University to conduct a research trial of GM potatoes this year. The research is on potatoes that have been genetically modified to resist infection by potato cyst nematodes.

"The Leeds University 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.

"Reflecting ACRE's advice, precautionary conditions have been attached to the statutory consent for the trial. These conditions 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."