The company to start growing the spuds
N.Z. LOOKING AT TPP CONCLUSION IN 6 MONTHS: In other TPP-related developments, New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser predicted Sunday that it could be six more months until a deal is concluded, but also assured the talks are “moving in the right direction.” He told New Zealand broadcasting company TVNZ: “If the politics don’t allow the great powers, Japan and the United States, to find an accommodation, it could get kicked down the line, but I’m getting more optimistic, not more pessimistic.” Click here for the TVNZ interview: http://bit.ly/1xlQx7b
GMO POTATO STILL HAS LONG ROAD TO MARKET: “The Agriculture Department may have signed off on a genetically engineered potato, but it could be some time before it ends up in french fries or potato chips,” Pro Agriculture’s Jenny Hopkinson reports.
“USDA’s determination of nonregulated status for J.R. Simplot Company’s low acrylamide and reduced bruising potato — branded as the Innate potato — is set to take effect next week after the department’s Biotechnology Regulatory Services issued its approval on Oct. 17, according to a Federal Register notice to be published Monday. That clears the way for the company to start growing the spuds on a large scale and get them into the hands of restaurateurs and food companies.
“The potato is the first of several consumer-facing GE products waiting to gain regulatory approval. The non-browning Arctic Apple is currently still under consideration by USDA, while FDA is weighing whether to allow the fast-growing AquaAdvantage salmon to enter the market.