Germany To Allow GM Potato Trials
27 April 2009 German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner has agreed to allow test cultivation of a potato containing genetically modified (GM) organisms, according to Reuters. Open air trials of Germany-based BASF‘s GM potato, Amflora, presents no threat to public health or the environment, Aigner says. Amflora was test-cultivated on 150 hectares (Ha) in 2008. Aigner announced she would only permit test plantings of Amflora on 20 Ha instead of the 40 Ha sought, and the plantings must have extra protective fencing. Last week, BASF warned that a decision to stop trials could damage Germany as a location for scientific research.
Earlier this month, Aigner banned cultivation and sale of the US-based Monsanto‘s GM maize type MON 810 despite its approval by the EU. Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, has started legal action against the German ban.
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