GM potato gets the green light from commission

A GENETICALLY modified potato, resistant to two antibiotics, has been approved for industrial use and animal feed after the European Commission said it was safe for people, animals and the environment.

The German chemical company, BASF, which produced the potato, called Amflora, welcoming the decision said it will be planted in Germany and the Czech Republic this spring and in Sweden and The Netherlands next year.

But Greenpeace and other anti-GM groups have criticised the decision as irresponsible and say it can spread resistance to important antibiotics and will increase the cost of keeping food GM-free.