Cultivation of five genetically modified (GM) products was approved by European commission. The Amflora potato developed by chemical giant BASF is also included in the list. Amflora can be used for industrial purposes (e.g. paper industry) but not food, Telegraph reports.

However, renowned ecological organization Friends of the Earth stated that Amflora contains antibiotic resistant gene that will not enter the food chain and might cause ecological damage, BBC reports.

Certain EU states, including Italy strongly oppose cultivation of transgenic crops, saying they might damage biodiversity.

A.G.