Brussels to debate GM potato for feed

By-products of potatoes are often used as animal feed, but is it allowed to use by-products of genetically altered potatoes? EU experts meet in Brussels this week to debate the issue.

Subject of discussion is the Amflora potato, introduced to the market by BASF. The company has submitted an application to the European Commission's panel of veterinary health experts to allow use of the by-product from this potato in animal feed.

Initially Amflora has been developed for its high starch content. It is not primarily intended for use in feed.

Obtain feed-use clearance

However BASF is eager to obtain feed-use clearance from the EU standing committee on the food chain and animal health in case any GM potato by-product ends up being fed to animals.

BASF's earlier application to permit the cultivation of Amflora in Europe looks set to be approved by the Commission. In July EU agriculture ministers could not reach consensus on the approval of the GM-potato. In such a case the EU Commission decides.

Commercial cultivation of Amflora

BASF plans to start commercial cultivation in cooperation with the starch industry and their contract farmers in 2008.

Potato pulp, or the remains of the potatoes after starch extraction, is commonly used as animal feed.

BASF Plant Science has therefore asked the EU authorities for approval of the genetically optimized starch potato Amflora as food and feed under EU Directive 1829/2003 in March 2005.

The positive evaluation of the dossier was published by EFSA in February 2006.