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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’.

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.

All BASF activities involving plant biotechnology are incorporated in BASF Plant Science. BASF Plant Science coordinates an international research and technology platform with eight sites in five countries in Europe and North America and employs more than 600 staff. In addition, BASF Plant Science has established numerous complementary cooperations with research institutes, universities and biotechnology companies in Europe and North America. The research activities of BASF Plant Science are concentrated in the areas of more efficient agriculture, renewable raw material and a healthier nutrition for humans and animals. These include, for example, plants with improved agronomic characteristics, a higher content of vitamins or omega-3 fatty acids for preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as plants with a higher nutritional value for animals. Within the next three years BASF will invest €330 million in the expansion of its plant biotechnology operations. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please see our internet web site at :http://www.basf.com/biotechnology.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company – The Chemical Company. BASF has over 95,000 employees and posted sales of more than €42.7 billion (approximately $50.4 billion) in 2005.

RELATED RELEASE

Source: Society of Chemical Industry

GM potatoes to be commercialized in 2007

Source: SocietyThe first commercial crop of genetically modified potatoes will be planted in 2007. Industry bods and green campaigners alike agree that EU approval of BASF’s Amflora potatoes will come in time for spring launch and cultivation, reports Marina Murphy in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI.

Amflora potatoes, which have been modified to be particularly suited for the production of papers and adhesive, are not intended for human consumption. In contrast to conventional potatoes, they contain only amylopectin, as opposed to both amylopectin and amylose starches.

‘This is the first potato of its kind’ according to Thorston Storck, global project manager at BASF Plant Sciences. ‘We have tested these potatoes over 10 years…And at this stage, we are optimistic of getting permission to grow and sell these potatoes in time for planting next year,’ he said.

Claire Oxborrow, GM campaigner for Friends of the Earth, agreed that approval in time for spring planting was likely. Even without a qualified majority on Monday (December 4th) by the regulatory committee, she said the potatoes would ultimately be approved. But Oxborrow also expressed concerns that Amflora potatoes could find their way into the food supply, especially given that a separate application by BASF for food and feeding is not far behind this one.

She said that safety should be a concern because rat feeding studies showed statistically significant differences in white blood cells and spleen weight between female animals fed the transgenic potato and those given a diet containing the parental cultivar.

‘These differences should be thoroughly investigated to ensure that they will not lead to human health impacts,’ she said.

Currently there are six countries in the EU where GM crops are grown commercially: Romania, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic. They all grow GM maize except Romania, which grows GM soya.