Trials planned on GM potatoes to enhance blight-resistance ability

Teagasc hopes to begin trials on GM potatoes with enhanced ability to resist late blight, which is a significant threat to the crop.

The national research body has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for permission to participate with 22 partners in 15 EU member states as part of the four-year EU Framework 7 research programme. While Teagasc does test GM potatoes in a controlled lab environment, Ireland has not been involved in GM potato field trials since the late 1990s. In the past, this research has attracted a lot of resistance from anti-GM groups.

“Throughout Europe, the GM debate has always been highly politicised, ideological and very polarised,” said Ewen Mullins, a senior research officer with Teagasc in Carlow.