|
Written by Richard
|
|
Wednesday, 03 March 2010 16:53 |
|
 The European Union has approved only its second GM seeds for growth in its member countries. Permission was first requested in 2003 to grow the crop in Sweden, however it has taken several years before the necessary decision was taken.
Genetically Modified crops are very controversial within the EU. Most consumers do not wish to purchase them for both health, environmental and commercial reasons. The case for GM foods has not been made in a convincing way to the Europeans.
The potato that has been approved, Amflora, has been developed by the German agro-giant BASF and will be grown this year in the Czech Republic and Germany. It is not destined for human consumption, but for industrial usage and animal feed.
This particular crop is controversial because it contains an anti-biotic resistant gene. Although the EU has placed limits on the cultivation of Amflora, it's hard to see it remaining fully outside the human food chain, especially as it will be fed to animals.
The case for GM foods has not been effectively made, there are still health concerns and frankly, western agriculture needs other reforms to boost quality and sustainability rather than another cheaper potato.
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/3736536244
For more insight into this topic, see these articles:
Come back soon to read these articles:
 | Is it worth it buying Organic? | |
| | |
|
|
Last Updated on Monday, 08 March 2010 21:54 |
