BASF retreats from Europe as GM crops rejected

Press release - January 16, 2012

BASF today announced it is abandoning its plans to develop and commercialise genetically modified (GM) crops in Europe [1].

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Costumed Greenpeace activists blockading a GMO storage facility owned by BASF in Sweden last year. For more images, visit: http://photo.greenpeace.org

Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero said: “BASF admits that Europeans don’t want GM crops, and for good reason. It’s not just the worrying health concerns, GM crops go hand in glove with factory farming, pesticide use, pest resistance and disappointing long-term yields.

“Europeans are not alone in rejecting GM food. BASF’s retreat to the Americas follows a string of defeats for the industry over the last two years in China, India, the Philippines, Thailand and elsewhere. Over 90% of GM food crops are grown in just four countries in the Americas.”

In 2011, India rejected the authorisation of a GM aubergine, the only GM food for which an authorisation was sought, while in September 2011 China suspended the commercialisation of GM rice. The Philippines and Thailand have also rejected GM rice.

BASF is shelving its antibiotic resistant potato Amflora, one of only two GM crops authorised for cultivation in Europe.The crop was a commercial flop.

Ends

Contacts
Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero +32 477 777034