Malta opposes antibiotic-resistant potato

Malta has stuck to its position against the genetically modified potato recently approved by the EU Health and Consumer Commissioner John Dalli, a government spokesman has told The Times.

When the EU Agriculture Council had discussed the introduction of the GM potato Amflora on February 18, 2008, Malta voted against along with 12 other countries.

"Malta's position has not changed," the spokesman said when asked whether the island had changed the stand taken two years ago.

Last week, Mr Dalli approved the cultivation of Amflora potatoes for use by the starch producing industry. The decision, which effectively lifted the EU's self-imposed 12-year ban on GM crop cultivation, was heavily criticised by green groups and some member states. The Italian Agriculture Minister lashed out at the decision and even insisted Italy would not allow Amflora's cultivation in the country.

The Commission's approval of Amflora, produced by German chemicals giant BASF, does not oblige member states to accept its cultivation on national territory. In fact, in a statement the Commission said the EU's executive now has until the summer to put forward a proposal on how a "community authorisation system, based on science, can be combined with freedom for member states to decide whether or not they wish to cultivate GM crops on their territory".

Amflora is particularly controversial since it contains a genetic strand that is resistant to two antibiotics used in humans.

"Malta will oppose GM applications that involve the introduction of genes for antibiotic resistance," the spokesman said, adding that the country would also oppose any application for genetically modified varieties "where closely related wild species at risk of cross-hybridisation exist in Malta".

A similar approach is applied in cases where the GMO variety is related to commercial crops of particular significance in Malta and where the risk of cross-hybridisation exists.

"The argument in this case is that Malta and its landholdings are too small to permit any meaningful co-existence between GM and non-GM crops," he said. This position was acknowledged by EU environment ministers in December 2008.

However, the government does not have a blanket policy against GM crops since Malta would consider supporting an application if the "long-term risks to human health and the environment have been addressed by the European Food Safety Authority".

"Malta will also consider voting in favour of GM applications with clear benefits for human health or the environment and where there is clearly no risk of proliferation, even if accidental, especially in the case of GM products not intended for use as food or feed," the spokesman said.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is the lead organisation that handles applications for GM crops in Malta.