Could genetically modified potatoes soon be exported to Europe courtesy of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)? The Government of Canada has stated, „CETA will not only open new markets [for Canada in Europe] for raw ingredients, it will open up new markets for the food processing and beverage industry.“ For example, Global Affairs Canada boasts that under[Read More…]
GMO
Researchers: ‘Organic farming should embrace blight–resistant genetically engineered potato’
According to researchers Godelieve Gheysen and René Custers in Belgium, the EU regulation on organic farming does not allow the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). “Why obstruct a cisgenic potato crop that can hardly be distinguished from a potato crop that is the result of conventional breeding?,” the scientists ask in a recently published research paper. “Among the reasons why[Read More…]
US: First field trials of Calyxt GMO potato variety completed
Calyxt, Inc., a Minnesota-based company, announced that it has completed the first field trials of its cold-storable potato in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The USDA has recently advised the potato’s developer, Calyxt, that the cultivar is not a “regulated article” under federal law since it doesn’t contain genes from plant pests. Because most commercial biotech crops incorporate genes from plant pests, these potatoes[Read More…]
US: New GMO potatoes approved, controversy continues
USDA approved commercial planting of two types of GMO potatoes which resist late blight resistance. The approval covers J.R. Simplot Co.’s Ranger Russet and Atlantic varieties of the company’s second generation of Innate potatoes. The new version will also reduce bruising and black spots, enhance storage capacity, and reduce the amount of a potential carcinogen created when cooked at high[Read More…]
Will new GMO potatoes really require fewer pesticides?
Consumers seeking to satisfy their salty snack cravings sans genetically modified ingredients may soon have to get savvier about scouting out chips and other products made without the use of GMO potatoes. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture formally approved two new types of genetically engineered potatoes, both of which were developed by Simplot, the Idaho-based spud giant. (A[Read More…]
US: Calyxt’s bruise-resistant, non-browning GMO potato variety cleared for sale
The USDA has advised the potato’s developer, Calyxt, the cultivar is not a “regulated article” under federal law because it doesn’t contain genes from plant pests. Because most commercial biotech crops incorporate genes from plant pests, they were subject to environmental analysis and a risk assessment from USDA before they were deregulated. In the case of Calyxt’s “PPO_KO” potato, the variety was[Read More…]
USDA clears Calyxt potato modified to withstand bruising
A new potato variety that’s genetically modified to withstand bruising has been cleared for commercialization without undergoing USDA’s deregulatory process for biotech crops. The agency has advised the potato’s developer, Calyxt, the cultivar is not a “regulated article” under federal law because it doesn’t contain genes from plant pests. Because most commercial biotech crops incorporate genes from plant pests, they[Read More…]
Australia, New Zealand: Food standards watchdog calls for opinions on Simplot’s GM potato
The food regulator Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (Fsanz) has begun public consultation as it reviews whether to allow a potato that has been genetically modified to reduce bruising. The Innate potato, produced by Simplot, has also been engineered to produce less of the chemical acrylamide, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals, when it is cooked.[Read More…]
Genetic improvement provides opportunities for potatoes
The potato is an important crop for Latin America and especially for South America, where it originated. Genetically improving potatoes can be a way to produce varieties that are resistant to pests and climate change, said Arnulfo Gutierrez, an expert on potatoes and a Panamanian official. There are no modified potato varieties in the region yet, said the specialist who chaired[Read More…]
Study reveals true cost of developing GMO potatoes
A recent study has revealed that the cost of developing GM potato varieties is in fact not that much more than for conventionally-bred varieties. The study published in the International Journal of Biotechnology demystifies the belief that releasing a GM crop costs tens, if not hundreds, of millions of U.S. dollars. The study assessed the cost and time of developing a[Read More…]
Olympic athletes enjoy McDonald’s almost as much as medals
So it turns out Olympic athletes love Big Macs almost as much as they love medals. There’s a McDonald’s handing out free food to athletes at the Olympic Village in Rio, and it’s become one of the most popular stops in all of Brazil. The Washington Post paid a visit to this neon oasis, and the findings were interesting, to say[Read More…]
US: Interview with John Keeling, National Potato Council
This week’s guest on Open Mic is John Keeling, Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Potato Council. In many ways, the nation’s potato growers opposed the biotech disclosure bill recently signed into law by President Obama. John Keeling voices grower concern over the country’s shift in labeling philosophy and ideas on future litigation and legislation on food labels.[Read More…]
US: Yes or no GMO? Local food companies talk biotech
Treasure Valley companies continue to focus on food production and point out the benefits of biotechnology in a national polarized and political environment surrounding genetically modified, or GMO, foods. “Consumers have said they want healthier products with fewer pesticides, and they want a better overall quality so they can save money and have assurance they can serve a healthier product to[Read More…]
Canada: Foes of GMOs call for stricter store labelling
With three new genetically engineered foods given the green light to be sold in grocery stores in Canada, opponents of the technology are increasing their demands the products be clearly labelled. “Now is the perfect time to do this so Canadians know exactly what they are eating,” said Lucy Sharratt, coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, a national coalition of[Read More…]
Simplot plans GMO-only seed potato farms
Officials with Simplot Plant Sciences said their company intends to eventually award contracts for propagating its Innate line of biotech potato seed exclusively to farmers willing to forgo raising conventional spuds. The planned move is among a host of precautions intended to aid in identity preservation of Innate, said Erik Gonring, Simplot Plant Sciences industry affairs manager, while offering a recent[Read More…]
Potato, sugar leaders laud GMO labeling bill
Leaders of the potato and sugar beet industries say they consider a bill that passed Congress requiring labels on food containing genetically modified organisms to be a good compromise. The House of Representatives approved the bill July 14 by a 306-117 vote and sent it to the White House. President Barrack Obama has indicated he intends to sign the legislation,[Read More…]
The Sainsbury Laboratory prepares for blight-resistant GM potato trial
After gaining government consent to field-test a genetically-modified potato, Norwich-based scientists are seeking to prove the agricultural benefits of GM technology – and win public approval from those who still doubt it. The subject of genetically-modified (GM) crops – and whether their commercial cultivation should be allowed in the UK – has polarised opinions for many years. And scientific reports in recent[Read More…]
Biotechnology can enhance post-harvest quality
I recently toured several supermarkets to see how the stored potato crop was looking in retail displays. The first thing I noticed was the organic potato sprouts, ranging from peepers in russets to inch-long sprouts in some fingerling potatoes. That’s not an indictment of the organic industry. It’s just a fact that it is difficult to store organic potatoes as long as[Read More…]
Uganda’s new, improved disease-resistant gmo potato variety
A new improved type of potato has been developed at the Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (KaZARDI) of the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) near Kabale. The disease-resistant Irish potato variety was produced via biotechnology and is said to be able to ensure high yields for food security and income generation. KZARDI director, Dr Alex Barekye and the project investigator,[Read More…]
UK: GMO potato approved for field trials
The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norfolk has been given the green light by Defra to conduct a series of GM potato field trials. The laboratory will conduct field trials of GM potato crops on a designated trial site at the Norwich Research Park between 2016 and 2019. The trials are part of a project to develop a Maris Piper potato that is blight[Read More…]
New gmo potato not grown commercially in Canada this year, but might be in grocery stores
A newly-approved, genetically modified potato will not be grown commercially in Canada this year. JR Simplot, the company that created the Innate potato, said Canadian approval came too late for farmers to plant them this season. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency approved the potatoes in late March. “The late approval did not provide us with enough time to secure[Read More…]
UK: GM potato field trials get the go-ahead
Defra has given the green light for a series of GM potato field trials by the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norfolk. The laboratory will conduct field trials of GM potato crops on a designated trial site at the Norwich Research Park between 2016 and 2019. The trials are part of a project to develop a Maris Piper potato that is blight and nematode resistant,[Read More…]
Canada: Inside Prince Edward Island’s brewing battle over an environmentally friendly GMO spud
Potatoes are prone to disease, such as the late blight fungus which is responsible for billions of dollars of annual losses. Keeping disease at bay requires a steady supply of fungicide, which can harm human health and the environment. The issue is particularly pressing on Prince Edward Island, which produces about one-quarter of Canada’s potatoes. The very characteristics that make[Read More…]
These new GM crops will change how we farm
Three of the world’s most troubling crop diseases were just hit with three new disease-resistant crops varieties, thanks to genetic modification-each with a slightly different mechanism. The details of these modifications appear in three new papers out today in Nature Biotechnology. The last paper deals with late potato blight, the disease blamed for Ireland’s famine in the 1800s. For that[Read More…]
Canada: GMO potato company fires back
The company responsible for creating a genetically engineered potato has taken issue with comments made by Earth Action Prince Edward Island in a recent Guardian article. Earth Action leader Sharon Labchuk said in that article that genetically modified products are unsafe. But Doug Cole, director of marketing and communications at J.R. Simplot, the Idaho-based company that developed the potato, disagrees.[Read More…]
Genetically engineered potato approved for sale in Canada
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have approved a genetically engineered potato for sale, said a U.S. based company. The non-browning spuds could be in Canadian supermarkets by Thanksgiving. J.R. Simplot Company was notified by both agencies in letters dated March 18, 2016 that it could sell its potatoes to consumers or for livestock consumption. Supposedly, the potatoes[Read More…]
US: Spud leaders laud progress of voluntary GMO labeling bill
U.S. potato industry leaders say they’re pleased by the advancement of legislation establishing a voluntary national standard for labeling of genetically modified ingredients in food. The bill, introduced by Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, passed the committee March 1 by a 14-6 vote. It now awaits a vote by the full Senate. According to the National[Read More…]
Bangladesh: Genetically modified potato likely to be released this year
The government plans to release a genetically modified (GM) potato, reportedly capable of resisting late blight disease, during the upcoming season. “We are planning to apply for the approval for releasing one variety of GM potato at the end of this year,” said Rafiqul Islam Mondol, director general of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI). BARI has developed GM potatoes by inserting pest[Read More…]
Editor & Publisher: Lukie Pieterse
Feel free to get in touch with Lukie!
He will be most happy to share potato news stories from your country on Potato News Today.
lukie@potatonewstoday.com
lukie5555@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
About us
Lockwood Mfg
PULSEMASTER
TOMRA Food
