German chemical giant BASF, which earlier this year announced it would be ending its research into genetically modified crops in Europe and looking instead to American markets, has announced plans for growing trials of GM potatoes in three EU states.

BASF announced the closure of its crop science department in the EU in January, citing overwhelming hostility to GM in Europe for its decision. However, yesterday the company announced plans for trials in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.

Although BASF pulled its Amflora potato from the EU market, leaving just one GM crop licensed for commercial production in the bloc, it did not withdraw its licensing applications for a number of other GM potatoes. The company said it would continue field trials of crops undergoing the lengthy approvals process.

In a statement, the company said, "BASF is convinced that plant biotechnology is a technology of the future, but in the mid-term, BASF does not see any opportunities for the commercial cultivation of genetically modified plants in Europe."

The trials will be of potatoes engineered to produce higher starch for industrial use and a blight resistant variety.

Although some maintain that GM technology is one of the key means of achieving food security, others believe the technology could have unintended results for the environment and consumers and fundamentally disagree with the application of intellectual property laws to living organisms, a process they claim is antithetical with the goals of food security.

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