BASF Given Nod for Genetically Modified Potatoes, Reuters Says

BASF SE, the world's largest chemicals maker, received approval to plant its genetically modified potato on fields in several German states, Reuters said.

BASF received the approval for the cultivation on fields in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western-Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt, the news service said, citing unidentified people at the federal agency for consumer protection and food safety.

The company will be allowed to use a maximum of one hectare (2.47 acres) per location each year to grow modified potatoes, Reuter said. Similar approvals had already been given in 2006 and last year, the news service said.

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Environment Minister: GM corn may be banned in Romania

Romania raised for the first time the problem of banning the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (...) A worldwide flaming controversy is taking place lately on the subject. In Romania, the more relaxed legislation allowed the cultivation of genetically modified soy for almost 10 years. Experiments have been conducted for modified plums and potatoes as well.

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New report indicates large GM potential for South Asia

A new compendium of studies addressing the use of genetically modified plants in South Asia forecast major economic benefits. Drought- and salt-tolerant rice may provide a added value of about three billion US dollars for India (...) Potential economic and environmental benefits also are indicated by other products that are under ABSPII development in the region. In India, this denotes varieties of sunflower, groundnut, eggplant and potato that are resistant to insects or to pathogens. In Bangladesh, tests were performed with the rice and potato lines, as well as with insect-resistant eggplant and chickpea.

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EU will not decide on BASF's genetically modified potato until Summer

The European Commission has postponed its decision on approving BASF SE's genetically modified (GM) potato Amflora until Summer, while the debate over how to deal with GM food in the bloc continues, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported, citing Brussels sources.

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BASF Delays Gene-Modified Potato Crop, Blames EU for Inaction

BASF SE, the world's largest chemicals maker, postponed cultivation of the genetically modified Amflora potato to at least next year after the European Commission failed to rule on its approval.

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BASF espera aprobación patata transgénica que aportará 20 millones euros año

El mayor grupo químico del mundo, BASF, quiere que la Comisión Europea (CE) apruebe el cultivo y el uso industrial de su patata transgénica, que podría aportarle cuantiosos ingresos, pero a ello se oponen los ecologistas.

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Leeds GM block bid fails

CAMPAIGNERS have failed to persuade a minister to delay a meeting about Leeds University plans to grow genetically-modified potatoes.

GM Freeze and Friends of the Earth wrote to Hilary Benn, the Leeds Central MP and Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), asking him to prevent his scientific advisors from discussing the application before public consultation ended.

But the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (Acre), which advises ministers on the risks of genetically-modified (GM) organisms, went ahead as planned.

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