EU battle over GM potato continues

Luxembourg has joined Hungary and Austria in their legal challenge over the authorisation of BASF’s genetically modified (GM) potato Amflora.

When the potato was approved for cultivation by the European Commission in March this year it became the first GM crop to be given the green light for over 12 years.

But that decision is now being challenged by a trio of countries who will take their case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

They say the Commission acted illegally because the potato, which is intended for use in the pulp and paper industry and as animal feed, contains a marker gene that could bring antibiotic resistance and be potentially harmful to both health and the environment.

Amflora is now grown in the Czech Republic, Germany and Sweden.