Due to too late approval, the Innate potato, a newly-approved, genetically modified potato variety, created by JR Simplot, will not be grown commercially in Canada this year. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency approved the potatoes in late March.
Doug Cole, Simplot's director of marketing and communications:
"The late approval did not provide us with enough time to secure commitments from Canadian growers prior to the 2016 planting season."
"But it's still possible to export Innate potatoes into Canada."
So Canadians may still see the potatoes in grocery stores this year.
Less waste on the farm
To create the Innate potato, genes from wild and cultivated potatoes were added to a conventional potato. They resist bruising and black spots. This is a particular advantage for peeled potatoes, because the spuds won't turn brown after peeling.
Innate Potatoes Generation 2
JR Simplot is continuing to work on improving the Innate. Test plots of Generation 2 Innate potatoes are being grown on P.E.I. this year. In addition to the bruising resistance of the first generation, these potatoes are also resistant to blight.
Growing these potatoes will allow farmers to use less pesticide on their fields.
The company expects U.S. approval of the blight-resistant potatoes by the end of 2016, but expects Canadian approval could take a couple more years.
Source: CBC News/potatopro.com
