The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the go ahead for trials on a genetically modified potato line which would have a better resistance to blight.
The trials are subject to a number of conditions and will be carried out by Teagasc in Oak Park in Co. Carlow on a 2 hectare site.
They will be conducted from now until 2016.
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Late potato blight is a common disease in potatoes in Ireland.
The potatoes will be subject to strict monitoring.
Teagasc will have to report to the EPA every 2 months.
In recent years more aggressive strains of blight have appeared with growers forced to substantially increase the amount of chemicals needed to control the disease.
