Following reports of genetically modified petunias being sold in Finland, the HTA has alerted the UK authorities to their existence in the UK supply chain for these bedding plants. The orange-coloured petunias pose no threat to people, animals or the environment. The petunias are not frost-hardy and neither the plants or their seeds will survive in a British winter.

Every effort is now being made to trace the plants so that they can be withdrawn from sale. We do not yet know how widespread they are in the UK supply chain. The production of genetically modified petunias is not authorised in the EU, and any plants and seed will be destroyed. The UK authorities will decide what action to take.

Evira, the Finnish food standards agency has reported that the original material was imported from Germany and the Netherlands. Investigations are being made in other EU member states to identify the scale of the spread. Petunias are one of the UK’s most popular bedding plants, used in pots, hanging baskets and flower beds. They are most commonly purple, white or mauve in colour. The Finnish researchers believe that the new orange colour has been created through genetic manipulation.

Petunias are the second most popular plant purchased at garden centres in the UK currently according to Epos data analysed for GTN Bestsellers.

From the Evira website: www.evira.fi

Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira has decided to remove from sale seeds and planting stock of the ornamental plant petunia characterised by the orange colour of the flowers which has been produced by means of genetic engineering. Genetically modified varieties of petunia are not authorised for cultivation in the EU. As a result of this, the petunia plants and the seed lot will be destroyed and any plants delivered for further growing on will be recalled from production. GM petunias do not cause any risk to people or the environment

In Evira's analyses, one lot of petunia seeds (African Sunset) as well as eight petunia varieties that had already been planted were found to be genetically modified: Pegasus Orange Morn, Pegasus Orange, Pegasus Table Orange, Potunia Plus Papay, Go!Tunia Orange, Bonnie Orange, Sanguna Patio Salmon and Sanguna Salmon.

The cuttings and seeds of the GM petunias have been imported to Finland from Germany and the Netherlands. Investigations are ongoing in EU member states to establish if GM petunia plants have been placed more widely on the market.

No risk to people or the environment

The orange petunias do not cause any risk to people or the environment. They are incapable of spreading into the wild in Finland. They are annuals, which means that petunia shoots cannot withstand frost. Petunia seeds are not winter-hardy either.

Petunia is an ornamental plant rich in blossoms, common in the summer. Petunia flowers are not naturally orange, but the new colour of the flower has been produced through genetic engineering.

A specific authorisation procedure is required before genetically modified plants are allowed to be cultivated and marketed in the EU. No application has been submitted for authorisation of genetically modified petunias in the EU and they have not been authorised to be imported, cultivated or marketed in any of the member states.

Only one genetically modified maize variety is authorised for cultivation in the EU. Some GM blue carnation varieties have been authorised for use as a cut flower only in the EU, but may not be cultivated in the EU countries. Genetically modified maize, soy and rape with EU authorisation may be imported into the EU for use in feed and food.