USDA Approves Simplots GM Potato
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved InnateTM potato (designated as Russet Burbank event W8), which has been genetically engineered for late blight resistance, low acrylamide potential, reduced black spot bruising, and lowered reducing sugars. Late …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved InnateTM potato (designated as Russet Burbank event W8), which has been genetically engineered for late blight resistance, low acrylamide potential, reduced black spot bruising, and lowered reducing sugars. Late blight is the disease that caused the Irish potato famine in the mid-19th century and still threatens crops around the globe.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) announced the "determination of nonregulated status" for the potato in a brief statement. The USDA APHIS said that the determination is based on their evaluation of data submitted by J.R. Simplot Company, analysis of available scientific data, and comments received from the public in response to previous notices announcing the availability of the petition for nonregulated status and its associated environmental assessment and plant pest risk assessment.
The notice is available at the USDA APHIS website. The final documents, including Stakeholder Announcement, Federal Notice of Determination of Nonregulated Status, Final Environmental Assessment, and Final Plant Risk Assessment are all available at the USDA APHIS website.
Source: CBU