Simplot Plant Sciences will not commercially launch its Innate GMO potatoes in Canada this year, despite regulatory approval and interest among potato growers to grow the new potatoes, according to a report by CBC News.
Doug Cole, Simplot’s director of marketing and communications, said the company is holding off allowing commercial growth of Innate potatoes in Canada until there is a proven market for them.
“There is strong interest from the grower community and retailers are also interested,” says Cole. “But it’s a very involved purchase decision. Because we’re the only branded bio-tech item in the produce aisle, it’s an involved decision, so they don’t want to take it without a lot of advisement. We certainly understand that and we’ll be patient. When there’s a market we’ll be there.”
Cole says there are about five acres of test plots on Prince Edward Island this year and he mentioned that Simplot Plant Sciences also has test plots in Ontario and Manitoba.
Cole added that over the last three years, the acreage of Innate potatoes in the U.S. has grown to 6,000 acres, and the potatoes are sold in about 4,000 supermarkets across 40 states.
Cole said Simplot expects the company’s Gen 2 potato that is blight-resistant will be approved by the CFIA and Health Canada by the end of this summer. That potato will require 50 per cent less pesticide, which Cole believes both farmers and consumers will be interested in.
Source: PotatoPro