ERGO

European permission genetically modified starch potato 'trench warfare'

5 November 2007

"Amflora" is the name the German enterprise BASF Plant Science came up with regarding a genetically modified starch potato. Under the pseudonym of EH92-527-1 it is leaving a trail of conflict across Europe. Over 4 years after submitting an application to become the third crop authorized to be grown in Europe, NRC-journalists Roel Janssen and Hans van der Lugt describe the situation, in their article entitled "genetically modified potato waits in resignation", in battle-terms.

The only 2 previous approvals date from 1998 and were followed by a moratorium that ended only in 2004. EU-member Austria objected against these 2 approved maize varieties and thus blocked approval of the Monsanto- and Bayer-variety within its borders. The attempt by the European Commission to lift this barrier was put on the agenda of the European Council of Ministers for the Environment which took place in the week of October 30th 2007. Only 4 member-states were in favor of forcing Austra to lift te ban. Bigger countries like Italy and Germany support Austria. The end result being: no qualified majority either in favor or against having Austria lifting the blockade.

This fact puts a remark by BASF-chairmen Hans Kast in a different perspective. He said, according to the article:
     the potato has proven to be safe.
     The only problems remaining are of a political nature.
Almost 2 years after submitting a request to the European foodsafety authority EFSA in February 2003 the conclusion was: EH92-527-1 holds no threat to either health or the environment. But to make it seem like the remaining political issues are to be regarded a mere trifle...

Last summer, during a European Council of Ministers of agriculture there was no qualified majority either in favour or against approval of growing this starch potato...

Next comes, according to the article, the Permanent Committee for Food Chain and Health. They didn't reach a decision on October 10th this year either (France and Austria were ardently against, Sweden and the Netherlands were clearly in favour of approval).

According to the newspaper the final countdown finally comes into view:

  • the European Commission once more puts the proposal before the European Council of Ministers for the Environment,
  • if this Council doesn't come to a decision within 3 months time,
  • the proposal finally lands on the desk of the European Commission itself.

Based on the favourable opinion by EFSA, it is expected that the European Commission will approve the proposal in the end.

In 2004 the EU has reviewed its legislation. Farmers, manufactoring industries ánd consumers have to be guaranteed the freedom of choice. If they prefer, they must be able to choose an alternative that is not derived from genetically modified products. Therefore:

  • genetically modified crops need to be seperated from conventional produce,
  • use of genetically modified foodstuffs or ingredients needs to be declared on the label of food products and
  • de genetically modified crops that are used in food must be traceable.

BASF has plans to start planting potatoes right after the expected approval in March 2008. The harvest of amylopectine, that is used industrially for instnace to add gloss to magazine paper, should reacht 20 to 30 million euros within 5 years. According to the article the developmentj of Amflora has cost 80 million euro. Posibly far costlier for Europe may prove what triggered a remark by BASF-boardmember Peter Oakley, quoted in the newspaper article:
     I see an enormous amount of scepticism, a Technologiefeindlichkeit
     (hostility towards technology) among the population.

 

 

source: Dutch daily NRC, November 3rd 2007: Roel Janssen and Hans van der Lugt