BASF Plant Science announced today that they have submitted a notification on January 12th 2006 to the Irish  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the conduct of a field trial with genetically modified late blight-resistant potatoes. This notification was submitted in line with the relevant regulatory framework.

The proposed field trial would be conducted on a farm at Arodstown, Summerhill, Co. Meath. The trial plants will occupy no more than 2.5 acres in an experimental plot of about five acre. The proposed trial period is from 2006 – 2010. There is a full schedule and outline of the proposed release in the formal notification to the EPA.

Potatoes with improved resistance to late blight have been successfully tested in the field in Sweden in 2005. In addition to Ireland BASF Plant Science intends to conduct similar trials in Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany this year, and has submitted notifications to the relevant authorities in these countries.

In line with the legal requirements BASF Plant Science will publish an announcement regarding the submission of the notification in a national Irish newspaper on January 26th.

To exploit the potential of biotechnology, BASF, a leading player in agricultural products and fine chemicals, established BASF Plant Science as its proper plant biotechnology company in 1998. BASF Plant Science operates a research and development platform in Europe and North America, where more than 450 employees are developing products in the following areas: crops for a more efficient agriculture and for the production of renewable raw materials as well as plants for healthier nutrition. Examples are plants with higher vitamin content, or with omega-3-fatty acids that can prevent cardiovascular diseases.

BASF has been represented in Ireland since the late 1950’s, originally through an Irish company, Denis Coakley & Co. BASF Ireland was established in 1983 and is now part of BASF Business Centre Europe North. We market a wide range of BASF products and supply leading manufacturing industries and the agricultural sector. Our offices are in Clonee, Co. Meath.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. In 2004, BASF had approximately 82,000 employees and posted sales of more than € 37 billion.
To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please see our web site at: http://www.basf.com/biotechnology

Link to the relevant section of the Irish EPA:
http://www.epa.ie/Licensing/GMOLicensing/DeliberateReleaseofGMOs/ProposedFieldTrialwithGMPotatoes/

Notification for the release into the environment of genetically modified potatoes with improved resistance to Phytophthora infestans (2006 – 2010)