www.checkbiotech.org ; www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

On December 04, 2006, the European Commission published the result of the
vote in the Regulatory Committee on the approval of the genetically
optimized starch potato Amflora. 134 votes supported an approval, 109
opposed it and 78 abstained, December 2006.

A qualified majority of 72.3%, which is needed for immediate approval, was
not reached. Therefore, the dossier will be passed on to the Council of
Ministers, who will decide on the approval within the next three months. In
the event that the vote in the Council of Ministers does not result in a
qualified majority either, the European Commission will decide on the
dossier.

The EU Commission initiated the approval process by showing support for the
cultivation of Amflora with a recommendation for approval in their ?Draft
Commission Decision?.

BASF said that Germany, as an important country for cultivation, voted in
favor, thus taking a positive stance on plant biotechnology. The approval is
a prerequisite for commercial cultivation of Amflora. If approved, BASF?s
starch potato will be the first genetically enhanced product to be permitted
for cultivation in Europe since 1998.

Already in February 2006, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed
Amflora to be ?as safe for humans, animals and the environment as any
conventional potatoes?. Amflora is not only safe, but is also easy on the
environment by saving resources, energy and costs thanks to its favorable
starch composition.

Amflora is a genetically optimized potato, producing pure amylopectin
starch, ideal for technical applications. Conventional potatoes produce a
mixture of amylopectin and amylose starch. For many technical applications,
such as in the paper, textile and adhesives industries, only amylopectin is
needed; separating the two starch components is uneconomical. Amflora
produces pure amylopectin starch and thus helps to safe resources, energy
and costs. Moreover: Paper produced with amylopectin starch has a higher
gloss. Concrete and adhesives can be processed for a longer period of time.

BASF Plant Science said that it expects approval of its first genetically
optimized plant in 2007.

www.checkbiotech.org

------------------------------------------
Posted to Phorum via PhorumMail