I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.EU approves first GM crop in 12 years
THE European Commission has authorised a genetically modified crop for cultivation in the EU for the first time in 12 years.
BASF’s GM potato Amflora was finally granted approval today (Tuesday, March 2), ending the long hiatus on new GM crops in the EU.
The only other crop approved for cultivation in the EU is Monsanto’s MON 810 GM maize, which was given the green light in 1998 before the five-year moratorium on GM approvals was put in place.
BASF’s GM potato will not enter the food chain, however. The German company’s product is designed to yield industrial starch.
Stefan Marcinowski, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE said: “After waiting for more than 13 years, we are delighted that the European Commission has approved Amflora.
“We hope, that this decision is a milestone for further innovative products that will promote a competitive and sustainable agriculture in Europe.”
The Commission granted approval for the product after EU Governments failed to reach a decision in 2007.
The variety is unlikely to be of use to growers in the UK, although its approval could pave the way for more approvals in the future.
NFU Scotland policy director, Scott Walker said: “Today’s announcements are positive developments in an area where discussions have, in the past, been dominated by emotion rather than science, making progress in the whole GMO debate painfully slow. This, hopefully, marks a more rational approach to what is a controversial subject.
“The approval of a GM starch potato variety for cultivation in Europe will have little or no impact in Scotland but may mark a break in the log jam around such approvals in the future.
“Europe’s commitment to have proposals by the summer examining whether Member States should have a greater say in planting approvals for GMOs is a further step forward.
“In the meantime, it is right that we continue to monitor consumer opinions here in Scotland and the UK on GMOs. The Food Standards Agency GM dialogue group, established last year, is to discuss with consumers their understanding of GM and intends to allow people to make more informed choices about their food. We look forward to that project’s report later this year.”
The anti-GM lobby has already voiced its disapproval, with GMWatch describing the development as ‘bad news’.
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Readers' comments (7)
anne upton | 2 March 2010 1:21 pm
Big business interfering in our farming affairs again. Be suspicious farmers, Monsanto etc don't do anything for your benefit. The public have shown that they don't want GM technology with scientist's reassurance of its safety, Remember BSE?
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c myram | 2 March 2010 2:47 pm
Really good news that, at last, data is holding sway over emotion. I am sure that the public will welcome this.
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Alfie McCaffrey | 2 March 2010 4:30 pm
This is a step backwards,selective crossbreeding yes,but not Genetic modification of life forms,it is not necessary nor needed,insufficent data available to prove 100% safe.Emotion not involved ,lifetime experience of the "what if" factor says GM is a serious disasterabout to happen.
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reg.affairs | 2 March 2010 7:55 pm
The safety tests carried out on this GM crop showed significant changes in in white blood cell count and reductions in thymus and spleen weight - all of these point to disturbances in the immune system which our incompetent EFSA have dismissed as irrelevant. This crop should not be allowed in the food chain. C. Myram - please check your facts- you have not seen the data.
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Anonymous | 2 March 2010 8:40 pm
Hi Reg
I see you informed C Myam to check his facts, yet you didnt read the article fully yourself:
BASF’s GM potato will not enter the food chain, however.
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Anonymous | 3 March 2010 0:06 am
i think it is wrong to mess with the natural food sorceand ref to
BASF’s GM potato will not enter the food chain, however. The German company’s product is designed to yield industrial starch.
wouldl these industrial starch products be used in other food products used for human consumption
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reg. affairs | 4 March 2010 6:17 pm
Anonymous - yes - I did check my facts. By-products of this crop will be used as animal feed. Therefore will enter the food chain. In addition - it's likely that the starch itself will be used in processed food. What do you suppose will stop it? Personally, I think that farming and the feed/ food industry have had enough to deal with in the past 20 years, without having an extra layer of risk. ot to mention the consumer mistrust.
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