European Commission Fails to Unite Behind Genetically Optimised Potato

A qualified majority of 72.3%, which is needed for immediate approval, was not reached. Therefore, the dossier will be passed on to the Council of Ministers, who will decide on the approval within the next three months.

06/12/06 On December 04, 2006, the European Commission published the result of the vote in the Regulatory Committee on the approval of the genetically optimized starch potato Amflora. 134 votes supported an approval, 109 opposed it and 78 abstained.

A qualified majority of 72.3%, which is needed for immediate approval, was not reached. Therefore, the dossier will be passed on to the Council of Ministers, who will decide on the approval within the next three months. In the event that the vote in the Council of Ministers does not result in a qualified majority either, the European Commission will decide on the dossier.

The EU Commission initiated the approval process by showing support for the cultivation of Amflora with a recommendation for approval in their ‘Draft Commission Decision’.

BASF said that Germany, as an important country for cultivation, voted in favor, thus taking a positive stance on plant biotechnology. The approval is a prerequisite for commercial cultivation of Amflora. If approved, BASF’s starch potato will be the first genetically enhanced product to be permitted for cultivation in Europe since 1998.

Already in February 2006, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed Amflora to be “as safe for humans, animals and the environment as any conventional potatoes”. Amflora is not only safe, but is also easy on the environment by saving resources, energy and costs thanks to its favorable starch composition.

Amflora is a genetically optimized potato, producing pure amylopectin starch, ideal for technical applications. Conventional potatoes produce a mixture of amylopectin and amylose starch. For many technical applications, such as in the paper, textile and adhesives industries, only amylopectin is needed; separating the two starch components is uneconomical. Amflora produces pure amylopectin starch and thus helps to safe resources, energy and costs. Moreover: Paper produced with amylopectin starch has a higher gloss. Concrete and adhesives can be processed for a longer period of time.

BASF Plant Science said that it expects approval of its first genetically optimized plant in 2007.