European starch producers call for Amflora

(April 17, 2008) Three leading European starch producers have confirmed their interest in the genetically modified potato Amflora.

The European Commission was called upon last week to approve cultivation of the genetically modified potato Amflora in the European Union. From the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, interest was expressed by the starch-producing companies Avebe, the Emsland group and Lyckeby, to whom Amflora potatoes are attractive because they produce pure amylopectin starch. In contrast, conventional potatoes contain both amylopectin and amylose starches, which differ in their suitability for various technical employments.

A source of pure amylopectin would be particularly valuable in the production of paper and its coating. Of the 1.51 million tonnes of starch extracted yearly in the European Union from potatoes, maize and wheat, almost a half is utilised in the non-food sector and primarily is applied in paper mills. Representatives of the starch industry state an annual turnover of 1.2 billion euro and that the direct use of pure amylopectin would generate an added value of approximately 100 million euro for the business and its associated farmers.

Amflora was developed by BASF and the application for its cultivation in the European Union was submitted in 2003. Two years later, on the basis of a scientific assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared Amflora to be as safe as conventional potatoes. The EU Commission has recommended the approval of Amflora but also has delayed final voting on its own authorisation proposal.

This delay has dashed hopes expressed by BASF for the start of commercial Amflora planting in 2008. Nonetheless, Gerben Meursing, Commercial Director of Avebe, remains convinced that "plant biotechnology is the key to the future of the potato starch industry".

See also on GMO Compass:

• Amflora potato: not this year (March 12, 2008)
• GM potatoes