The European Commission has asked German chemical giant BASF to explain how the company's yet-to-be approved genetically modified (GM) potato, Amadea, was grown in Swedish fields.
Small quantities of the Amadea potato, a GM potato for which BASF filed a request for EU authorisation last week, were found in Amflora fields planted in northern Sweden in June.
Amflora, which is also a GM potato, was approved for planting for industrial purposes by the EU in March (EurActiv 03/03/10). Cultivation of Amflora has already begun in Sweden, the Czech Republic and Germany.
The Swedish authorities have demanded the removal of all Amadea plants from Swedish fields, but they are allowing Amflora plants to remain. A Commission spokesman said yesterday (6 September) that the EU executive had asked BASF to come to Brussels to explain the situation.
There was obviously some kind of mistake or blunder which led to the wrong potato being sent to Sweden, said EU Health Commissioner John Dalli's spokesman, Frédéric Vincent.