INDUSTRY NEWS: EU Approves GMO Crops

The European Commission has approved five GMO crops; the bloc's first GM cultivation approval in 12 years. This means that Amflora, a genetically modified potato developed by German chemical maker BASF, is cleared for cultivation in the EU for industrial uses such as animal-feed. Strict cultivation conditions were also set to ensure that GM potatoes remain in the fields after harvest and their seeds will not be spread to a wider environment. These conditions are in place in a bid to allay fears of cross-contamination, several stories about which have made headlines in recent months.
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UPDATE 1-EU clears 5 GMO crops, eyes proposal on cultivation
Tue Mar 2, 2010 8:57am EST


* EU clears Amflora potato for cultivation

* Approves 3 Monsanto maize types for food, feed

* Says may propose allowing states to decide on cultivation

* Environmental groups condemn approval

By Bate Felix and Charlie Dunmore

BRUSSELS, March 2 (Reuters) - The European Commission approved 5 genetically modified crops on Tuesday, and said it might let EU countries decide whether or not they grow GM crops on their soil.

The Commission's decision to approve the genetically modified potato and maize drew condemnation from environmental groups which accused the EU's executive arm of ignoring consumer concerns over the safety of GM products.

The Commission authorised a genetically modified potato, Amflora, developed by German chemical maker BASF (BASF.DE), marking the bloc's first GM cultivation approval in 12 years.

"The decision provides for strict cultivation conditions to prevent the possibility that GM potatoes will remain in the fields after harvest and to ensure that Amflora's seed will not be inadvertently disseminated into the wider environment," the Commission said, in a bid to allay fears of cross-contamination.

The authorisation clears the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial uses such as paper-making and animal feed.

BASF said the approval cleared the way for the commercial cultivation of Amflora this year. The crop will likely be grown on 250 hectares in Europe, 150 hectares of which is in the Czech Republic, it added. [ID:nLDE6211BA]

The firm said it expected peak license fees of about 20-30 million euros ($27-40.6 million) per annum.

The EU executive also approved three genetically modified maize types, MON863xMON810, MON863xMON810xNK603 and MON863xNK603, made by U.S. biotech firm Monsanto (MON.N) for food and feed uses and import and processing in the European Union.

The decision was the first by a new line-up of EU commissioners. Environmental groups said it ignored risks posed by the crop to human and animal health, as well as to the environment.

"It is shocking that one of the Commission's first official acts is to authorise a GM crop that puts the environment and public health at risk," Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero said in a statement.

"If this new potato is widely grown in the European Union, organic and conventional farmers and food processors will have to face even higher costs keeping food production chains free from GMOs", warned Bavo van den Idsert, Vice President of IFOAM which represents organic farmers in Europe.

Approval of genetically modified crops in the European Union has long been a subject of controversy, dividing EU member states with many openly hostile to what they call "Frankenstein foods".

The EU executive said it plans to announce proposals by summer that would, if approved, allow governments to decide whether genetically modified crops can be grown within their borders. [ID:nLDE6120A4] (Additional reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt editing by Dale Hudson) ($1=.7395 Euro)

SOURCE: Reuters