News release
BASF Plant Science
European Commission approves Amflora starch potato
BASF plans to start commercial cultivation in 2010
Amflora will increase the competitiveness of the European
starch industry
Ludwigshafen, Germany – March 2, 2010 – Today the European
Commission approved Amflora, BASF’s genetically optimized starch
potato, for commercial application in Europe. The potato can now be
used for the production of industrial starch.
“After waiting for more than 13 years, we are delighted that the
European Commission has approved Amflora,” said Stefan
Marcinowski, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF
SE. “We hope, that this decision is a milestone for further innovative
products that will promote a competitive and sustainable agriculture in
Europe.”
“The way is now clear for commercial cultivation of Amflora this year,”
said Peter Eckes, President of BASF Plant Science. “Amflora will
strengthen the international position of the European potato starch
industry.”
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed on several
occasions during the approval process that Amflora is safe for
humans, animals and the environment.
March 2, 2010
P 179/10
Susanne Benner
Phone: +49 621-60-28574
Fax: +49 621-60-27789
BASF Plant Science
Agricultural Center
67117 Limburgerhof, Germany
Phone: +49 621 60-28574
www.basf.de/plantscience
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Now that the European Commission has given its approval to Amflora’s
commercial cultivation, Sweden as the so-called “rapporteur” country will
formally issue its legal approval. The application for approval of Amflora
was filed in Sweden in 1996.
Amflora produces pure amylopectin starch used in certain technical
applications. Food use is not foreseen. It was developed in collaboration
with experts from the European starch industry to respond to the demand
for pure amylopectin starch. Conventional potatoes produce a mixture of
amylopectin and amylose starch. For many technical applications, such as
in the paper, textile and adhesives industries, pure amylopectin is
advantageous, but separating the two starch components is uneconomical.
The industry will benefit from high-quality Amflora starch that optimizes
industrial processes: it gives paper a higher gloss, and concrete and
adhesives can be processed for a longer period of time. This reduces the
consumption of energy, additives and raw materials such as water.
The Amflora approval process to date:
The Amflora approval process was initiated more than 13 years ago with the request
for authorization submitted in August 1996. The scope of the application included
cultivation, industrial use and the use of pulp as feed.
During the so-called moratorium on genetically modified products between 1998 and
2004, no approvals for genetically modified plants were granted in the EU.
BASF Plant Science resubmitted a dossier for cultivation and a dossier for food and
feed use in 2003 and 2005, respectively, due to modified EU regulations.
In 2006, the EU Commission published two EFSA assessments that for both dossiers
concluded that Amflora is as safe as conventional potatoes for humans, animals and
the environment.
In November 2006, the then responsible EU-Commissioner Stavros Dimas forwarded
his proposal for authorization of cultivation of Amflora to the Regulatory Committee
consisting of representatives from all EU Member States.
After two inconclusive votes in the Regulatory Committee in December 2006 and the
Council of Agricultural Ministers in July 2007, Commissioner Dimas failed to adhere
to the approval procedure defined by EU legislation and did not adopt the proposal
for cultivation.
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On September 21, 2007, EU-Commissioner Dimas answered questions by Green MEP Hiltrud Breyer (WRITTEN QUESTION P-4070/07 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE)
to the EU Commission that Amflora is safe.
The dossier for food and feed use was voted upon in the Standing Committee –
consisting of members from all EU Member States – in October 2007 and Council of
Agricultural Ministers in February 2008. After a qualified majority was not reached in
either votes, the decision on Amflora was passed on to the EU Commission.
BASF expressed its dissatisfaction with EU-Commissioner Dimas’ handling of the
approval process in an open letter to EU-Commissioner Dimas on April 17, 2008.
In its “orientation debate“ on genetically modified organisms on May 7, 2008, the EU
Commission decided to request EFSA to prepare a new consolidated scientific
opinion on the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in genetically modified plants
by September 30, 2008. Such a marker gene is also used in Amflora.
In a press release following the debate, EU-Commission President José Manuel Barroso stated that the EU Commission will adopt the pending decision “if and when“
EFSA confirms the safety of Amflora.
On May 19, 2008, BASF Plant Science requested access to any documents in the
possession of the EU Commission in connection with the authorization procedure for
Amflora. These documents did not reveal any new scientific evidence regarding the
safety of Amflora.
On July 24, 2008, one year after the vote in the Council of Agricultural Ministers (the
last formal step prior to adoption of a decision), BASF Plant Science filed an action
with the European Court of First Instance against the EU Commission for failure to
act.
EFSA in autumn 2008 informed that its opinion on antibiotic resistance marker genes
would not be finalized until December 15, 2008.
However, on December 10, 2008, the EU Commission granted EFSA a second
extension for its opinion to March 31, 2009.
On June 11, 2009, EFSA published its final, positive opinion on the use of antibiotic
resistance marker genes in genetically modified plants.
Today, March 2, 2010, the European Commission gave its approval to commercial
cultivation of Amflora in Europe.
About BASF Plant Science
BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies
providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, about 700
employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural
productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has
developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in
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crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry
BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher
yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed or higher content of
Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about
BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges
from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as
well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in
virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent
solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as
climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than
€50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year.
BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and
Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.