BASF considers legal action against EC over GM potato delays

The potato in question, Amflora, has been developed by German chemical company BASF to provide industrial starch.

BASF argues that the potato uses less energy and water than conventional starch potatoes and that European farmers will be left behind if the EU continues to dither.

“Leading starch producers confirm that amylopectin potatoes, such as Amflora, can create added value of at least £80million per year for the European starch industry and farmers, who now want to see it cultivated,” said BASF’s Stefan Marcinowski, in a letter to European Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

The potato has been backed by the European Commission’s scientific advisors, the European Food Safety Authority but, despite support from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, 11 member states blocked the potato’s approval last July.

The decision now rests in the hands of the European Commission, who seem in no rush to end the process that began with BASF’s application for cultivation over five years ago.

“EU experts at EFSA have repeatedly stated that Amflora is as safe as conventional potatoes. Their conclusion is based on extensive scientific studies. All scientific evidence supports the safety of Amflora,” said Mr Marcinowski.

An elongated approval system, pressure from environmentalists and opposition from some member states have prevented EU approval of any GM crop for commercial cultivation in Europe for over a decade.

In an attempt to buck the trend, BASF representatives met with Commissioner Dimas last week, but after no progress was made, Mr Marcinowski intimated legal action against the Commission was possible.

It is thought Commissioner Dimas sympathises with environmentalist fears that GM crops are a danger to human health and are detrimental to the environment.

Activists have warned that BASF’s potato contains a gene that makes it resistant to antibiotics that could spread to conventional crops nearby and contaminate the food chain.