News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Europe

March 08, 2013

Discovery of genetic mechanism allowing potato cultivation in northern latitudes

An international team of scientists headed by Wageningen University has discovered a genetic mechanism which allows potato plants to develop tubers during the long days of spring and summer in northern latitudes.

March 04, 2013

Famine potato revived: Irish Lumpers available in the run-up to St Patrick's day

The Irish Lumper potato has been cultivated once more by County Antrim farmer Michael McKillop who has a keen interest in history.

February 06, 2013

BASF drops GM spud plans in EU

The ever changing story of Europe's relationship with biotechnology took another twist recently when the giant German chemical firm BASF announced it was halting the development of all its GM potato varieties in Europe.

February 04, 2013

Gourmandine Potato variety soon available in the United Kingdom

During the upcoming Fruit Logistica, Agrico will sign a contract with the UK firm Albert Bartlett, who will shortly introduce the Gourmandine potato variety in the United Kingdom.

January 18, 2013

Protestors face court for destroying GMO potato field in Belgium

The trial of eleven protesters who in 2011 destroyed a field of genetically modified potatoes started before Dendermonde magistrates on Tuesday.

January 03, 2013

Poland imposes farming bans on GM maize, potatoes

The Polish government has banned cultivation of certain genetically modified (GM) strains of maize and potatoes, according to a government statement on January 2.

Agrico presents new potato varieties in Italian museum setting

November 13, 2012

Agrico presents four promising potato varieties in an Italian museum

On Thursday 8 November Agrico opened its annual Presentation of Varieties and Seedlings at its breeding company Agrico Research in Bant.

November 12, 2012

HZPC will show a lot of colour at the Interpom | Primeur 2012

HZPC will highlight pomme couleur, a range of potato varieties wwith a colourful appearance and various functional ingredients.

October 25, 2012

Solynta wint Food Valley Award 2012 @Food Valley Expo

“Het winnen van de Food Valley Award is geweldig. We zijn nu in een fase beland dat het zo goed gaat dat we op zoek zijn naar partners en daar helpt het winnen van zo’n prijs enorm”, aldus Pim Lindhout, hoofd Research &Development Solynta.

October 18, 2012

Agrico potato Gourmandine 'taste of the year' for third time

This year, Agrico's potato variety Gourmandine was awarded the much coveted French quality award ‘Saveur de l’Année 2013’ (‘Taste of the Year 2013’) for the third time.

October 08, 2012

European Food Safety Authority publishes initial review on GM maize and herbicide study

The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that a recent paper raising concerns about the potential toxicity of genetically modified (GM) maize NK603 and of a herbicide containing glyphosate is of insufficient scientific quality to be considered ...

September 19, 2012

Potato Yields in Norway lower

In Norway potato yields for 2012 are expected to be lower. The predictions are based on the potato yields from 90 different fields in the 7 most important potato districts in Norway and include a range of varieties. The potato yield predictions for 20...

September 09, 2012

British potato breeding changing focus

The days of a few big varieties dominating the potato market are over, with breeding programmes becoming more focused on delivering sustainable varieties for specific markets.

August 29, 2012

Legal challenge refused over first genetically modified potatoes in Ireland

A group of campaigners in the Irish Republic has been refused a legal challenge over the first trial of a genetically modified potato crop. In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the go ahead for a gm blight-resistant potato crop to be tested in County Carlow.

August 28, 2012

Greens in Ireland seek to sue over trials on potato

Moves will be made in the High Court today to launch a legal challenge to a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow trials on a genetically modified (GM) potato to be carried out.

August 09, 2012

Solynta, FOODsniffer chosen for Ag Innovation Showcase

Two innovative Dutch agri-food companies, Solynta and FOODSniffer, have been selected to present at the Ag Innovation Showcase in St. Louis Sept. 10-13. Solynta has developed a revolutionary breakthrough in potato breeding technology.

August 01, 2012

GM potato trial 'threatens Ireland's image'

Ireland's environmental protection agency has approved the first trial of a genetically modified potato crop.

August 01, 2012

Blight-resistant GM spuds to save Irish growers €450/ha, says lead researcher

Potato growers could achieve potential savings of more than €450/ha if they used a blight-resistant genetically modified (GM) potato variety instead of a conventional variety.