Environmental analysis news: GM potatoes to be cultivated in Europe

The green light has been given for the first genetically modified potatoes to be grown in the EU.

Developed by German chemical firm BASF, the Amflora potato will be used for industrial purposes and not for human consumption.

EU public health commissioner John Dalli said there was no scientific reason why approval should not be given.

Speaking at a news conference, he said: "Responsible innovation will be my guiding principle when dealing with innovative technologies."

However, several environmental organisations have expressed their opposition to the decision.

Heike Moldenhauer, a spokesman for Friends of the Earth, said it is putting "profit before people" and will do nothing to increase public confidence in the "Brussels bureaucracy".

According to the Financial Times, the number of genetically modified crops being grown worldwide increased by seven per cent in 2009.

Written by Lauren Steadman