REGULATORY approval has been given for the UK’s first precision-bred potato, PiperPlus.
The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), an independent research institute based in Norwich, has secured landmark marketing notice approval from Defra for the potato. The laboratory focuses on plant-microbe interactions, plant immunity, and developing disease-resistant crops.
Developed by Professor Jonathan Jones’ team, PiperPlus has natural resistance to late blight and major viruses such as Potato Virus Y (PVY) and Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV). It adds innate resistance genes from wild potato relatives into the classic Maris Piper variety.
It contains stacked resistance genes (Rpi genes) that stop late blight.
DEFRA’s confirmation that it officially meets the legal definition of a precision-bred organism under the UK Precision Breeding Act is a regulatory milestone for the UK. Under the legislation, a crop qualifies as precision bred only if its genetic changes could have occurred naturally or through conventional breeding.
The research work by Jonathan and his team has been funded through Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) grants.
Jonathan paid tribute the dedication and “extensive efforts” of his team, saying: “We believe PiperPlus will become a flagship example of what’s possible through precision breeding, showing how these technologies can reduce fungicide use, improve sustainability, and deliver real benefits to the public.”
