BRUSSELS (AFP)--The European Commission Tuesday authorized the cultivation of a genetically modified potato, developed by German chemical giant BASF SE, the first such green light for 12 years.
The European Union Commission also allowed three GM corn products to be placed on the European market, though not grown in Europe.
The issue of so-called "frankenfoods" has long been a matter of fierce debate in Europe and the commission stressed that the Amflora potato in question would be able to be grown only for "industrial use" including animal feed, rather than for human consumption.
Prior to Tuesday's decision, only MON 810, a Monsanto Co. strain of genetically modified corn, has been authorized for cultivation in Europe.
That decision was taken back in 1998.
VIENNA (AFP)--Austria said Tuesday it planned to ban the cultivation of genetically-modified potatoes after it was approved by the European Commission in Brussels.
"Minister Alois Stoeger is preparing a document banning the cultivation of genetically-modified potatoes," a health ministry spokeswoman told AFP.
The minister was going to "immediately issue a national cultivation ban," according to the ministry.
The commission approved Tuesday the cultivation of genetically-modified potatoes--the first approval of GM foods for 12 years--as environmentalists and some European ministers slammed the "frankenfoods" as a threat to human health.
Austria already introduced a safeguard clause in 1999 banning the import of two types of genetically-modified maize, also approved by the commission:Monsanto's MON810 maize and Bayer's T25.
