EU set to clear BASF genetically modified potato - report |
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Tue, 17 Jul 2007 07:55
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LONDON (Thomson Financial) - The EU yesterday paved the way for approval of the first commercial cultivation of a genetically modified crop in the European Union since 2001, the Financial Times reported.BASF AG, the German chemicals group, wants permission to sell Amflora, a GM potato, for industrial use in items such as packaging and paper coatings. It will not be used in food, the newspaper said.The European Commission will use its power to take a final decision on whether to allow commercialisation of the potato, after national farm ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday failed to break a long-running deadlock over the issue.Under EU rules, the European Commission, which backed BASF's proposal, will take a final decision.Approval is likely in the 'coming months,' the FT cited the commission as saying.The European Food Safety Authority found the BASF-produced potato to be safe for cultivation as it did not cross-pollinate or produce toxins, the FT said.A spokeswoman for the European Commission said: 'There is no risk in using the potato. In this case the scientific evidence is irrefutable.'tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.comjlw/jlwCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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BASF hopes for EU approval for genetically modified potato Amflora in 2007 