BASF threatens EU over Amflora Starch Potato

For nine months, the European Commission has been considering whether to approve the cultivation of Amflora, a genetically engineered starch potato. On Thursday, the company involved said it would take the EU executive to court if it doesn't decide soon.

"Enough is enough,"Stefan Marcinowski, a director at BASF AG, told reporters. "We are prepared to take all kinds of options, which includes legal action against the Commission."

Marcinowski said talks Tuesday with EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas made no progress. He said EU officials were making a mockery of their own approval system.

A green light from the commission for BASF's "Amflora"potato would be its first approval of a biotech crop in a decade.