Stockholm — Sweden approved what could become the European Union's first genetically modified potato on Thursday, but the spud isn't about to land on any kitchen table, a spokeswoman said.
The genetically engineered potato, which must also be approved by the EU, was developed to provide starch for the paper industry.
“It's not a food potato,” said Gabriella Cahlin, a spokeswoman for the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
While genetically modified crops are widely grown and consumed in North America, opposition is fierce in Europe. Last year, the EU lifted a 1998 ban on genetically modified crops but enacted strict labelling and traceability rules.
The EU has approved about a dozen genetically engineered crops, including certain types of corn, canola and soy beans.
If the Swedish spud is approved, it could become the first genetically modified potato in the EU and the first genetically modified crop grown for commercial use in Sweden. It has already been cultivated on a trial basis by a Plant Science Sweden, a company in southern Sweden.
The new potato contains high amounts of a starch that can be used in paper production, the agriculture board said. Byproducts from the starch extraction would be used for animal fodder and fertilizer, the agency said.
Mr. Cahlin said EU approval could take anywhere from six weeks to several years.
