BASF Gives Up Seeking Approval for GMO Potatoes in Europe

BASF said it 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 [over the destruction of crops]."

Environmental activists have destroyed genetically modified crops on fields in Europe for fears they might harm health and erode biological diversity.

BASF also said it will continue its crop biotechnology business in the U.S. and has added corn as a target crop under its fungal resistance research.

But the company has stopped its research and development activities into nutritionally enhanced corn in the U.S. "as part of a continuous review of the project portfolio."

The discontinuation will result in the closure of several BASF field sites in the U.S. with around 40 positions being eliminated, the company added.

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