National Potato Council submits Comments in Support of Simplot's Innate Technology

As part of the second and final public environmental assessment comment period for the J.R. Simplot Company's petition to deregulate its biotech Innate™ 1.0 potatoes, NPC submitted comments to the Federal Register noting that the technology "could effectively address key production and processing issues facing the potato industry."

NPC went on to say that "given the strong science-based regulatory review process in place to determine the safety and efficacy of varieties developed using biotechnology techniques, we believe that biotechnology can be a tool to help enhance the speed and certainty of new variety development."

In its comments, NPC raised two issues of industry concern. First, it noted that while biotech potatoes are no more likely to have the potential for volunteers than conventional potatoes, the potential impact of a biotech volunteer potato could be significant to the industry. As such, NPC urges Simplot to continue to focus on identity preservation activities and stewardship requirements that, if properly carried out, make the probability of volunteers low and ensure the strict segregation of biotech potatoes from the conventional supply chain.

Second, noting the increasing value of foreign markets to the U.S. potato industry, NPC stated that it believes that a plan to introduce biotech potatoes into the domestic market place must also include specific and timely plans to obtain approvals in the largest markets for U.S. potatoes and potato products, even in nations where Simplot has no plans to import biotech potatoes or potato products.

NPC values the importance of the J.R. Simplot Company to the U.S. potato industry and appreciates the company's responsiveness and transparency during the ongoing deregulation process.