It was recently announced that a trial plot of genetically modified (GM) potatoes was to be planted at a secret location on a farm in Norfolk, in the East of England, to test for blight resistance.
In response, the UK's Soil Association has spoken out in criticism. Policy manager Emma Hockridge said that the trial demonstrated just how far behind GM technology was in comparison with convention breeding.
'A blight resistant potato variety (Sarpo) has already been bred using conventional methods and is commercially available,' she said. 'The fact that this GM potato variety is still at the field trial stage – after 10 years, no significant results and £1.7m (€2m) of tax-payers’ money later – clearly demonstrates what a failing and old technology this is.'
Ms Hockridge added that money should be put to more practical use, particularly in the face of climate change.
'Research should instead be focused on conventional breeding, which is showing much better results at a far cheaper cost,' she said.
“The IAASTD report, the largest scientific farming study ever conducted and produced by over 400 scientists from across the world, concluded that in a world faced with climate change and resource depletion, agro-ecological farming methods like organic need be utilised, rather than throwing more money at GM crops,' she concluded.
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