GM potato trial gets underway despite protests

National agri research and training body Teagasc has begun its outdoor trials to grow genetically modified, blight-resistant potatoes at its facility in Oakpark, Co Carlow.

Several anti-GM groups have protested against the proposed potato planting trial, a licence for which was formally approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in July. The potatoes have now been planted outdoors, having been developed indoors until now.

A spokesperson for Teagasc said: “Since we were granted the license in July, Teagasc have been working to meet the stringent license conditions laid down by the EPA. Once this was achieved, the EPA gave consent to Teagasc to proceed and as a result we were able to transplant the cisgenic potatoes out into the 10-metre by 10-metre plot on Monday.