On the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council
B-10-2025-0244
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Anja Hazekamp, Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Sirpa Pietikäinen
- Voted on · Adopted 373–150–10 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2647
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This resolution objects to the Commission's draft decision authorising the placing on the market of genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788. It considers the draft decision to exceed implementing powers and be inconsistent with Union law, and calls on the Commission to withdraw it.¶¶¶ It also calls on the Commission not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops, to align import standards with Union safety standards, and to take into account international commitments such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.¶¶¶
Key points
- Considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.¶
- Considers that the draft decision is not consistent with Union law, as it is incompatible with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests.¶
- Calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision and submit a new draft to the committee.¶
- Calls on the Commission, in line with the One Health approach, not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops, as this would lead to increased use of complementary herbicides and increased risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers' health.¶
- Highlights that authorising import of herbicide-tolerant GM plants is inconsistent with the Union's international commitments under the UN SDGs and the UN CBD, including the Kunming-Montreal Framework.¶
- Expects the Commission to deliver on its commitment to propose ensuring hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export, and to ensure reciprocity by aligning domestic production standards with those applied to imports, notably for pesticides.¶
- Calls on the Commission to ensure convergence of standards between the Union and its partners in free trade agreement negotiations to meet Union safety standards.¶
- Welcomes the Commission's recognition of the need to take sustainability into account in GMO authorisation decisions, but expresses disappointment that it has continued to authorise GMOs despite objections.¶
- Urges the Commission to take into account the Union's obligations under international agreements and reiterates its call for draft implementing acts to be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of 'do no harm'.¶
Who is affected
- The Commission, which is called on to withdraw its draft decision and not authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops.¶¶
- The applicant (Monsanto) seeking authorisation for the GM soybean, whose application would be rejected if the Commission follows the resolution.¶
- Farmers and consumers in countries growing herbicide-tolerant GM crops, who face increased herbicide exposure and risks.¶¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- 36 resolutions objecting to GMOs in Parliament's eighth term, 38 in the ninth, and 10 in the current tenth term.¶
- Dicamba use up 10-fold in the Midwest of the United States compared to a decade ago.¶
- 97 % of soya cultivated in Brazil and 100 % in Argentina is GM soya.¶
- Soya accounts for nearly half of the deforestation embodied in all Union imports.¶
Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, in particular Article 7(3) and Article 19(3)¶