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Adopted text

Genetically modified soybean MON 94313

TA-10-2026-0307 · P10_TA(2026)0307 · PE790.127

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Parliament's resolution opposes the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 94313. It considers the draft decision exceeds the Commission's implementing powers and is incompatible with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, and calls on the Commission to withdraw it. 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. It asks the Commission to propose without delay a reform of the GMO decision-making procedure, given Parliament's objections and the lack of qualified majority among member states. It says authorising imports of GM plants tolerant to herbicides banned in the Union, such as glufosinate, conflicts with international commitments and disadvantages Union farmers.

Key points

  1. The application for the GM soybean was submitted on 16 September 2022 by Bayer Agriculture BV, Belgium, for Bayer CropScience LP, United States, to the Dutch competent authority.
  2. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a favourable opinion on 21 January 2026, finding the GM soybean as safe as its conventional counterpart, but it did not address broader environmental, socio-economic and cumulative impacts.
  3. The GM soybean was developed to tolerate dicamba, glufosinate, 2,4-D and mesotrione-based herbicides.
  4. EFSA's risk assessments did not include long-term toxicological studies or detailed analysis of cumulative and combinatorial effects, including interactions with pesticide residues.
  5. Herbicide-tolerant GM crops lead to higher use of complementary herbicides and lock farmers into herbicide-dependent weed management, worsening soil health, water quality and biodiversity.
  6. Glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B, meets the cut-off criteria in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and its approval for use in the Union expired on 31 July 2018.
  7. Assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites on GM plants is outside EFSA's remit and not part of GMO authorisation, although the genetic modification can affect how herbicides break down.
  8. Monitoring of effects on biodiversity, soil health, pollinators and non-target organisms is insufficiently guaranteed, and the precautionary principle should apply in cases of scientific uncertainty.
  9. Union authorisation would conflict with international commitments on pesticide reduction and increase exposure to glyphosate and glufosinate in growing countries.
  10. Cultivation of the GM soybean is not allowed in the Union, and the draft decision would allow imports that do not meet standards observed by Union farmers, placing them at a competitive disadvantage.
  11. Parliament has repeatedly said the Commission should not authorise GMOs when member states reach no qualified majority in the Standing Committee or Appeal Committee, yet the Commission continues to authorise them.
  12. Parliament considers the draft decision exceeds the Commission's implementing powers, is incompatible with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, and calls for its withdrawal, for no authorisation, and for a legislative proposal to reform the GMO decision-making procedure.

Who is affected

  • The Commission: asked to withdraw the draft implementing decision, not to authorise the GM soybean, and to propose a reform of the GMO decision-making procedure.
  • Union farmers: said to face an uneven playing field and a competitive disadvantage from imports not meeting Union standards.
  • Member states: their Standing Committee and Appeal Committee votes delivered no opinion on the draft decision.
  • Bayer Agriculture BV and Bayer CropScience LP: the applicant for the authorisation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 16 September 2022: date the application for the GM soybean was submitted.
  • 10 December 2025: date EFSA adopted its opinion.
  • 21 January 2026: date EFSA's opinion was published and issued.
  • 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.
  • 31 July 2018: date the approval of glufosinate for use in the Union expired.

Legal basis: Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (precautionary principle).