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Commission approves GM starch potato and announces upcoming proposal on choice for Member States to cultivate GMO's

The Commission adopted today two decisions concerning the Genetically Modified “Amflora” potato: the first authorises the cultivation of Amflora in the EU for industrial use, and the second relates to the use of Amflora's starch by-products as feed. The European Commission also adopted today three decisions on the placing on the market of three GM maize products for food and feed uses but not for cultivation. All five authorisations were subjected to the highest scrutiny, addressing specific concerns regarding the presence of an antibiotic resistance marker genes and environmental and food safety. The Decision to finally authorise the cultivation of “Amflora” is the end of a process which started in the late 1990s and is based on a considerable volume of sound science.

The European Commission also announced today its intention to come up with a proposal by the summer to allow more choice to Member States in deciding whether to cultivate GMO's in line with the assurance given by Commission President Barroso in his policy outline for the term of this Commission. While so far no further details are known on this specific subject, plant biotech and seed companies are worried that the internal market for their products will effectively come to an end.

“This would mark the end of a policy and concept that has proven highly successful not only for plants and seed – but for Europe as a whole!” Garlich von Essen, Secretary General of ESA European Seed Association warns. “The common market is Europe’s biggest success story. It has improved competitiveness and increased welfare throughout the economy. Wherever we go back to national protectionism, we see immediate negative effects for all parties concerned. We should not apply this poor concept to the successful common market for seed!”

For more information on today’s policy developments, read

ESA Press Release ESA_10.0223