Press Release
Field trial of late blight resistant potatoes
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich, NR4 7UH gives notice that it has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for consent to conduct a field trial with genetically modified potatoes under section 111 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory have developed potatoes that carry genes for resistance to potato late blight (Phytophthora infestans); these genes were originally isolated from wild potato relatives.
The general purpose of the proposed release is to evaluate the efficacy of these blight resistance genes in the field.
The proposed release will take place at the Norwich Research Park, map reference TG1707 between May 2010 and November 2012.
More information may be obtained by email from blight-trial@tsl.ac.uk
The Secretary of State will consider any representations made to him relating to risks of damage to the environment posed by the release of the genetically modified organisms within a period that he shall specify in accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002.
The Secretary of State will place information on this proposed GMO release on a public register within 12 days of his receipt of the application. The public register can be inspected by contacting the Defra Information Resource Centre, Ergon House, Horseferry Rd, London SW1P 2AL (e-mail defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). This information will also be placed on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/gm/regulation/registers/applications/index.htm.
The website will include details of how and when representations may be made in respect of the application. Enquiries on this public consultation should be directed to the address below.
GM Team
Defra
Area 8A, 9 Millbank,
c/o 17 Smith Square,
London SW1P 3JR
(email: gm@defra.gsi.gov.uk)