While demand for the healthier low-lineolic acid soybean is soaring, because everyone and his mother wants food with healthier fats, the EU is dragging its feet on approving the high-starch potato. That regulatory drag just cost BASF one growing season.

Both plants were bred with molecular plant breeding techniques, so called GMOs, which certain EU countries object to. The World Trade Organization has said there are no valid public health or scientific basis for the objection, but those countries continues to use this as trade barrier.

The questions is, will the EU regulatory system reimburse BASF for the lost profit of the lost growing season?