Sittings · Document

Adopted text 2026-09-16

Genetically modified soybean GMB151 x DAS-44406-6

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 18 Sept 2026

Parliament's resolution objects to a draft Commission implementing decision that would authorise placing on the market products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean GMB151 x DAS-44406-6 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. It considers the draft decision exceeds the Commission's implementing powers and is incompatible with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment. It calls on the Commission to withdraw the draft decision and not to authorise the GM soybean, citing insufficient evidence on long-term impacts on biodiversity, food safety, farmers' livelihoods and animal health. It asks the Commission to propose without delay a reform of the GMO decision-making procedure, and says authorising imports of GM plants tolerant to herbicides banned in the Union is inconsistent with international commitments and disadvantages Union farmers.

Key points

  1. Parliament considers that the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
  2. It considers the draft decision incompatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 to ensure a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests.
  3. It calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision.
  4. It calls on the Commission not to authorise the GM soybean because of insufficient evidence on long-term impacts on biodiversity, food safety, farmers' livelihoods and animal health, in line with the One Health approach.
  5. It calls on the Commission to submit without delay a legislative proposal to reform the GMO decision-making procedure, responding to Parliament's objections and the lack of qualified majority support among member states.
  6. It states that authorising imports of GM plants made tolerant to herbicides banned in the Union, such as glufosinate, is inconsistent with international commitments including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals, and creates an uneven playing field for Union farmers.
  7. It notes that the application was submitted on 29 May 2024 by BASF SE on behalf of BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC for foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from the GM soybean.
  8. It notes that EFSA issued a favourable opinion on 27 January 2026 finding the GM soybean as safe as its conventional counterpart, but that the opinion did not address broader environmental, socio-economic and cumulative impacts.
  9. It notes that the two-event stack soybean expresses the Cry14Ab-1, HPPD-4, PAT, AAD-12 and 2mEPSPS proteins to confer resistance to plant parasitic nematodes and tolerance to several herbicides, including glufosinate-based, 2,4-D based and glyphosate based herbicides.
  10. It notes that EFSA's risk assessments did not include long-term toxicological studies or detailed analysis of cumulative and combinatorial effects, including interactions with pesticide residues.
  11. It notes that herbicide-tolerant GM crops lead to higher use of complementary herbicides, lock farmers into herbicide-dependent weed management and worsen soil health, water quality and biodiversity.
  12. It notes that glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B and meets the cut-off criteria of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and that its approval for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018.

Who is affected

  • The Commission, which is asked to withdraw the draft decision, not authorise the GM soybean and propose a reform of the GMO decision-making procedure.
  • Union farmers, who the resolution says would face an uneven playing field and a competitive disadvantage from imports not meeting Union standards.
  • Member states, whose governments and parliaments are to receive the resolution.

Figures and deadlines

  • 29 May 2024: date BASF SE submitted the application for the GM soybean.
  • 27 January 2026: date EFSA's favourable scientific opinion was published.
  • 10 December 2025: date EFSA adopted its opinion.
  • 31 July 2018: date the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired.
  • 10 June 2026: date of the Standing Committee vote at which no opinion was delivered.
  • 15 July 2026: date of the Appeal Committee vote at which again no opinion was delivered.

Legal basis: Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, cited for the precautionary principle.

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