26/07/2012

EPA Gives Consent For GM Potato Field Trials

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today given consent to Teagasc, Oak Park, Co Carlow, to carry out field trials on a genetically modified (GM) potato line with improved resistance to late potato blight.

The consent is subject to eight conditions. These Conditions address the following matters:

•The scope of the consent

•The duration, location and area of the field trials

•The management of the field trials

•The duty upon the notifier to inform the Agency of new information

•Requirements in relation to reporting to the Agency

•The detection method for the identification of the GM potatoes

•Sampling the trial site, and charges for carrying out site inspections, auditing and monitoring

The approval for field trials follows a detailed examination and assessment by the EPA of a notification from Teagasc. In assessing the application the EPA has carried out extensive consultations with all appropriate state agencies and government departments including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) as well as the National Advisory Committee on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). A total of 83 representations were received from interested parties and these were fully assessed as part of the licensing process.

The field trials will be carried out at one location at Oak Park, Co Carlow. The duration of the consent is for four years, from 2012 to 2016 (inclusive), with post-trial monitoring continuing until 2020. Planting will not exceed two hectares in area.

(CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 January 2014
NUI Opens Ireland's First Stem Cell Facility
NUI Galway is to open Ireland's first ever plant to manufacture human stem cells. Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland (CCMI) is the first facility in Ireland to be granted a license to use stem cells in extensive clinical trials.
10 May 2013
Trials Of E-Gates Begin At Dublin Airport
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has began six month trials of automated border control gates (e-gates) at Terminal One in Dublin Airport. This is the first time that e-gates have been used in Ireland for immigration purposes.
06 July 2012
Electric An Post Mail Scooters Sold Off For Fraction Of Cost Price
Eight electric scooters bought by An Post, allegedly costing €10,000 each, have been sold on for a fraction of the price after plans to use them for delivering mail had to be scrapped. The eight Italian-made Cargo Scooters were used during trials around the city centre, but it was discovered they were not suitable for delivering mail.
04 August 2011
White Collar Crime Measure To Be Introduced
A measure which will assist juries in their deliberations in complex theft and fraud trials is to be introduced.
05 April 2011
North's No Jury Trials 'To Remain'
The North will still be able to hold court trials without a jury for the immediate future. Owen Paterson, the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said today that he is laying before Parliament an Order to extend the Non-Jury trial provisions for a further period of two years.