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GMO potato ‘Amflora’ cannot be used for human consumption !

Together with its European assocations Europatat and EUPPA, Belgapom, Belgian's potato trade and processing association, has taken notice of the Commission’s decision of 2 March 2010 to authorise – under the current legislative framework  decided by the Council and the European Parliament and after a double scientific safety assessment by Europe’s food safety agency EFSA – the cultivation of the GMO potato Amflora in the EU for industrial use and the use of Amflora's starch by-products as feed.

The usage of this potato variety in the individual member states will depend on the decision by the national authorities to allow the cultivation of this GM crop on their territory.

Belgapom is clarifying that the Commission’s decision to authorise the cultivation of this GMO potato variety owned by BASF, which is referring to the ‘industrial usage’ of the potato, includes the exclusive usage of this potato in the starch potato industry and this only for non food applications (e.g. paper industry).

This means in practise that this decision excludes the usage of this GMO potato variety in the production of consumption potatoes grown by EU producers, or potato products produced by EU companies processing potatoes for human consumption.

The Belgian potato trade and processing industry is confirming through its industry association Belgapom, that its companies will respect this legal requirement in their production processes.

Belgian Inno Potato Award has been launched

Belgian producers can participate up to 15 May 2010 - possibly in collaboration with their buyers/suppliers - at this competition, bringing small or big innovations in their potato crop or storage into the spotlights.

A selection of 12 candidates by a professional jury will be presented to the visitors of Interpom Primeurs 2010 (from 28-30 November 2010 in Kortrijk Xpo), where they will classify them in the different categories. The winners receive the price out of the hands of the Flemish and Walloon Minister of Agriculture on Tuesday 30 November.

More information is available in Dutch and French on the website www.innopotato.be.

Belgapom is a partner of this competition and is inviting all Belgian potato professionals to participate.