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EU Commission to decide on Amflora

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Limburgerhof, Germany
June 16, 2007

- EU Commission is expected to adopt its positive proposal for approval
- BASF Plant Science expects commercial cultivation of Amflora in 2008

Today, the Council of Agricultural ministers failed to reach a definitive decision on the commercial cultivation of BASF’s genetically optimized starch potato “Amflora”.

Immediate approval would have required a qualified majority of about 74%. Under EU law, the EU Commission now has to decide upon the approval of the genetically optimized starch potato Amflora.

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’. This Draft Decision is based on a positive evaluation of Amflora by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA has repeatedly stated that Amflora is for humans, animals and the environment as safe as any conventional potato.

The EU Commission’s approval is prerequisite for commercial cultivation of Amflora. When approved, BASF’s starch potato will be the first genetically enhanced product to be permitted for cultivation in Europe since 1998. Amflora is developed by European experts in the potato starch industry, designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the European starch industry versus competition from other starch sources.

BASF plans to start commercial cultivation in cooperation with the starch industry and their contract farmers in 2008.

Potato pulp, or the remains of the potatoes after starch extraction, is commonly used as animal feed. BASF Plant Science has therefore asked the EU authorities for approval of the genetically optimized starch potato Amflora as food and feed under EU Directive 1829/2003 in March 2005. The positive evaluation of the dossier was published by EFSA in February 2006.

About Amflora
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 about 700 people. 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.
During the 3-year period from 2006-08, BASF is dedicating a total of €400 million to the expansion of its plant biotechnology operations.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company – The Chemical Company. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

 

 

 

 

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