University gets green light for GM tattie trials

Move condemned by environmental groups but welcomed by farmers

By Joe Watson

Published:

Academics were yesterday given the go-ahead to trial genetically modified potatoes in Yorkshire.

Farming ministry Defra approved the application from Leeds University to test a GM tattie resistant to the potato cyst nematode (PCN), a ringworm that annually costs UK farmers £65million a year to deal with and agriculture globally £60billion.

The decision – backed by the independent Advisory Committee of Releases to the Environment – was immediately condemned by environmental organisations. But there was a welcome from farming groups who see potential for the GM variety in reducing production costs and the chemical treatments currently needed to deal with it.

The trial involves 400 PCN resistant potato plants being grown in a field annually for the next three years at Headley Hall Farm, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

Leeds University yesterday directed the media to a statement on its website which was posted at the time the GM application was lodged in January. It said the trial was an extension of work already carried out in glasshouses.

The field trials were necessary to show if the plants could survive outside.

The scientists are testing two processes. The first involves introducing a protein to the root of the potato plant which when eaten by the worm, prevents it from properly digesting other plant proteins in its diet. This means the worm grows more slowly and produces fewer offspring, helping increase the chance of crop growth.

The second involves introducing a gene to potato roots so the PCN is unable to smell the plant to prevent them feeding on it.

The Soil Association, which represents organic producers, said it was extremely disappointed at Defra’s decision. It added: “Consumers have said a unanimous no to GM in their food. We will be contacting Leeds University to take up the issue.”

But NFU Scotland said: “This is potentially an important trial since potato cyst nematodes are a significant problem for growers. Resistant varieties are rare and so any additional ones would be valuable.

“However, at the moment we are sitting in a country whose government and public is broadly anti-GM and so any long-term benefit is likely to be years away.”

The university appreciated the public interest in GM crops, but added: “It is vital that academics are given the freedom to work without prejudice.”

Scottish Agricultural College potato expert Stuart Wale said PCN was a global problem, although Scotland had so far escaped the worst of it. He stressed the need for growers to keep up crop rotations to prevent it taking hold.