Improving tomato fruit quality and the european regulatory framework

Tomato fruit quality is determined by a complex set of characters. Fruit used by the fresh market industry must have different attributes than those used by the processing industries. We have determined the major targets of the tomato industry and have isolated from the tomato itself genes which based upon their biochemical function are expected to improve texture and rheology, colour, soluble solids and flavour. Our research is aimed at proving this concept. So far we have demonstrated that polygalacturonase (PG) is a major fruit quality gene providing the processing tomato industry with improved viscosity. Commercial tomato hybrids have been developed in collaboration with Petoseeds (USA) which carry this effect gene. The regulatory system in Europe will be reviewed. Field trials are covered by the EC directive 90/220, which has now been implemented by all countries belonging to the European Union. On the contrary there are no European-wide regulations in place to cover the production of genetically modified plants as food sources. The evolving food regulations will be reviewed and evaluated in the context of competitiveness of the European plant biotechnology industry.