2008 FORECAST
Between 1998 and 2008, BASF is investing 
€1 billion in its plant biotechnology
operations and is focusing on three areas
of research:  optimising crops for more 
efficient agriculture, renewable raw 
materials and healthier nutrition.  BASF 
Plant Sciences is currently in the process 
of trying to get EU approval for its Amflora 
starch potato product, from which the 
company expects €20-30 million peak 
income from licensing and over €100 
million added value for the entire value
chain: seed producers, farmers and starch 
producers.  
However, EU approval does not seem 
to be forthcoming. The company is 
considering legal action following the recent
announcement from the EU Commission 
declaring the reassessment of genetically
modified products, including Amflora 
potatoes.  EU approval for GM crops affects 
the industry as a whole, for the short-term 
and the long-term.
“There is a global demand for agricultural 
products and regulatory measures [in Europe]
have stopped the commercialisation of
products.  Politicians in Europe today have 
opted to keep technology off the market; 
[products] which could help the global
food crisis immensely.  The products are 
hampered not by real science and safety but
by politicians with other agendas,” believes 
Doyle Karr, communications director at 
BASf Plant Sciences is currently in the process of trying to get
DuPont Agriculture and Nutrition.
EU approval for its Amflora starch potato product, from which the
company expects €20-30 million peak income from licensing and
Realistically, the threat to sales growth and 
market share for BASF Plant Science in the 
over €100 million added value for the entire value chain: seed
short term is limited.  As Kast explains: 
producers, farmers and starch producers “The threat is to plant biotechnology in 
Europe.  There are 114 million hectares of 
genetically modified crops grown worldwide
“We expect to exceed the US$100m target  land they farm. In 2007, Monsanto’s expenses  (2007) and this number continues to grow 
expected by 2010.  This is not at peak sales  for research and development were US$780  with annual double-digit rates. We will be 
level.  We believe Rynaxypyr is a very important  million,” says Colin Merritt, external affairs  concentrating on the global market.”
part of the portfolio in terms of revenue,”  and new business development manager at
explains Borel.   Monsanto.  He further points out that in the mid- to 
long term, consumers in Eur ope will 
Monsanto has stated that it is looking to invest  Meanwhile, “Syngenta invests more than  embrace the technology. Surveys in various 
more than 85% of its R&D spend in seed,  US$800m in R&D in crop protection and  countries showed a jump in acceptance as 
genomics and biotechnology and will invest seeds. Our strategy is focused on successfully  soon as consumers perceived a benefit. For 
in technology arrangements (alliances and  delivering both our crop protection and seeds instance, “An example is Australia, where 
collaborations) that will maximise the efficiency  pipelines.  We are increasing investment in  several seasons of drought have caused
and effectiveness of its R&D efforts. Monsanto  our seeds business while keeping overall R&D  acceptance to jump from 46% in 2004 
invests “more than US$2 million a day to  spend broadly unchanged at 9-10% of sales,”  to 73% in 2006, because people see that 
discover and deliver innovative technologies says David Lawrence, head of R&D at the  plant biotechnology can help in making 
that make a difference to farmers and the  company. plants more tolerant to periods of drought.” 
14 July 2008 • www.agrow.com
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