BASF halts GM potatoes

Chemicals firm BASF will no longer seek EU approval of its GM potatoes.

Last year the firm announced it had halted the development and marketing of new GM products destined for the European market after concerns in some EU countries over the technology.

In a statement the BASF said: 'We will discontinue the pursuit of regulatory approvals for the Fortuna, Amadea, and Modena potato projects in Europe because continued investment cannot be justified due to uncertainty in the regulatory environment and threats of field destructions.'

The European Commission in Brussels last week announced it will freeze the approval process for genetically modified food crops through the end of its mandate next year while it works towards an agreement with EU member states on GM.