By Mantik Kusjanto

BASF has taken legal action against the European Commission for failure to
act on its genetically modified Amflora potato, the German chemicals company
said on Thursday.
BASF said in a statement it filed the action with the European Court of
First Instance in Luxembourg because the Commission unjustifiably delayed
the approval of Amflora after a 12-year process.

"EU commissioners have postponed Amflora's approval despite repeated
positive safety assessments by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority,"
said Stefan Marcinowski, a member of BASF's executive board.

Marcinowski said the company was "not prepared to accept any further
delays".

Amflora is engineered to yield high amounts of starch, eliminating the
viscous gel-like substance amylose so it contains only one starch
ingredient: amylopectin.

It is not intended for human consumption but rather for industrial use such
as in the paper industry to make glossy magazine coatings, in textiles for
yarn sizing and as an additive in adhesive or sprayable concrete.

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