EU Council of Ministers Postpones Decision on Amflora 

29/06/07 Yesterday (June 28th, 2007) at a meeting in Luxembourg, the EU Council of Environmental Ministers did not discuss the approval of BASF’s genetically optimized potato, Amflora.

Amflora has been developed together with European experts in the potato starch industry, in order to strengthen the competitiveness of the European starch sector.

BASF Plant Science President & CEO Dr. Hans Kast stated: “Plant biotechnology is a key technology for the 21st century; and Amflora is a perfect example of an innovative product, which benefits the entire value chain from farmers to producers.” Amflora, a renewable resource, helps to save raw materials, energy and costs in industrial production through its optimized starch composition.

“We call upon Europe’s politicians to show their true commitment to innovation and speed up the approval of new technologies and their resulting products,“ Kast added.

The EU Commission recommends the cultivation of Amflora in its “Proposal for a Council Decision”. This Decision is based on the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) positive evaluation of Amflora. EFSA has repeatedly stated that Amflora is for humans, animals and the environment as safe as any conventional potato.

The EU approval is a prerequisite for the commercial cultivation of Amflora. After approval, BASF’s starch potato will be the first genetically enhanced product to be permitted for cultivation in Europe since 1998.

BASF Plant Science expects to start commercial cultivation in 2008, in cooperation with the starch industry and their contract farmers.