The European Commission has cleared the way for a
genetically modified potato to be grown in the EU - only the second GM
product it has allowed.
The starch of the Amflora potato can
be utilised for industrial uses like making paper, and for animal feed
- but not for human consumption.
Environmental groups have strongly opposed the introduction of GM crops.
But the Commission insisted its decision was based on "a considerable volume of sound science".
Planting this spring
The Amflora variety, developed by German chemical and biotechnology firm BASF, has been a political hot potato for seven years.
BASF applied to grow it in Sweden in 2003. Sweden agreed but was obliged to seek EU permission.
The
Council of ministers - the committee of national governments - has been
unable to agree a decision, passing the issue back into the hands of
the Commission.
Even though it has now been cleared, individual
countries still have the right to decide whether it should be grown on
their territory.
The potato is expected to be planted in the
Czech Republic and Germany this spring, and Sweden and the Netherlands
in following years.
The only other GM product currently grown commercially in the EU is Monsanto's MON 810 maize, which was cleared back in 1998.
It is grown in five countries - Spain, the Czech Republic, Romania, Portugal and Slovakia.
On
Tuesday, the EU Commission also allowed three GM maize products to be
placed on the European market, though not grown in Europe.
'Bad day'
Some
countries remain firmly opposed to the cultivation of GM crops, arguing
that they could eventually reduce biodiversity and natural resistance
to pests and disease, and that it is very hard to stop them
cross-pollinating with non-GM crops.
Italy said it objected to the Commission's decision.
German Green MEP Martin Hausling said it "flies in the face of the 70% of consumers who are against GM food".
"This is a bad day for European citizens and the environment," Friends of the Earth told the AFP news agency.
It
said the Amflora potato "carries a controversial antibiotic resistant
gene which it cannot be guaranteed will not enter the food chain".
The
Commission said it was imposing strict conditions on the cultivation of
Amflora to address some of the environmental concerns.
For instance, the potato "will be cultivated and harvested before it produces seeds".
It
said growing this form of potato "helps to optimise the production
process and to save raw materials, energy, water and oil based
chemicals".
