b'WORLDREVIEWUNITED KINGDOM for this to happen in a staged way with themprocess which will determine if the GM potatoes AHDB is planning on moving its potato storagecontinuing to provide storage research findings,will be welcomed to the market.research out of house, according to a news releaseresources and advice to the industry for the long-from the company.term future. THE NETHERLANDS The company has operated Sutton BridgeWageningen University and Research (WUR) is CSR in Britain where it conducted potato storageNEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA launching a new study of wild potatoes to try research for over 50 years. The facility does bothThe Food Standards Australia New Zealandand find new pest and disease-free varieties, the levy-supported and publicly funded research work.(FSANZ) organization have evaluated two geneti- university says in a release.Sutton Bridge features unique research facilitiescally modified (GM) potato lines and ruled they areThe research will focus on finding yield within the United Kingdom, using controlledsafe for human consumption, a news release frombreeding material which can be used to develop environment storage. the regulatory body says. disease-free potato varieties able to help with The board of AHDB Potatoes conducted aThe two potatoes are derived from Innate pota- sustainable and circular potato production. It will process of market engagement with agri-scienceto lines V11 and Z6. V11 has reduced acrylamidehelp growers use less pesticides for disease and research institutions where it was found a numberpotential and reduced browning traits (blackspotpest prevention on potatoes, the release notes.of organizations were interested in having a morebruising), while Z6 has both traits plus diseaseThe preliminary study has already yielded active role in storage research, the release says.resistance to foliar late blight, the release notes. some usable varieties. These resistant potato A research tender process was launched in AprilThe FSANZ tests found there were no potentialvarieties will be further investigated by WUR and with plans to start projects at external researchpublic health and safety concerns with thesewill be used by breeding companies affiliated with facilities along with at Sutton Bridge this summer. potato lines. Tests were done on a range of factorsthe Holland Innovative Potato (HIP) to develop new Performance will be monitored carefully soincluding allergy risks and unintended effectsbreeds.they can work on moving to a new model whereresulting from the potatoes genetic modification. The work is being funded by HIP and the Dutch storage research is commissioned rather thanThe regulatory body is now calling the publicMinistry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, completed in house, the release says. AHDB plansfor comments as part of its decision-makingthe release says.SUMMER 2020 SPUDSMART.COM 47'