New field trials mark the next step for genetically modified potatoes in Europe

Wageningen University & Research (WUR), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), will launch new field trials of genetically modified potatoes in 2026, with the aim of improving disease resistance and reducing pesticide use.

According to a recent statement, the trials will focus on potato lines developed by adding or switching off multiple genes to build resistance against key threats, including *Phytophthora infestans*, the cause of late blight.
 

Reducing reliance on pesticides

Late blight remains one of the most destructive diseases in potato production, often requiring intensive pesticide use for control. Researchers expect these new resistant varieties could significantly reduce that dependence.

The trials will assess how effective the resistance is under field conditions and how crop protection strategies may evolve as a result.
 

Advances based on previous research

This work builds on findings from the DuRPh project (Durable Resistance against Phytophthora), completed more than a decade ago. That research showed that potatoes with multiple resistance genes were far more effective against late blight than those with one — or none.

However, these varieties were never commercialized. Because the resistance genes were introduced through genetic transformation, they fell under strict EU regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), resulting in a long, costly, and uncertain approval process, as well as concerns about market acceptance.
 

Faster breeding through new genomic techniques

Advances in genome editing — known as New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) — are changing the landscape. These tools allow for precise DNA modifications that could also occur through conventional breeding, but in a much shorter time frame.

While traditional breeding can incorporate similar resistance traits, the process is slow. NGTs offer a faster pathway to developing varieties with stacked resistance to multiple diseases and pests.
 

Policy and public debate

The European Union is currently considering legislation that could exempt certain NGT-derived plants from existing GMO regulations. These trials are expected to provide real-world insights into how these technologies perform, helping to inform both policy decisions and public debate around sustainability.