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Adopted text

Genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × MON 87411 and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events MON 87427, MON 89034, MIR162 and MON 87411

TA-9-2020-0366 · P9_TA(2020)0366 · PE661.543

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Parliament adopted a resolution objecting to a draft Commission decision that would authorise products containing genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × MIR162 × MON 87411 and six sub-combinations of its single events. It considers the draft decision exceeds the Commission's implementing powers and is not consistent with Union law, and calls on the Commission to withdraw it. It cites unanswered Member State concerns, missing experimental data on the six sub-combinations, and gaps in the assessment of herbicide residues and break-down products. It reiterates calls on the Commission to stop authorising GMOs when Member States deliver no opinion, not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops until health risks from residues are investigated, and not to authorise sub-combinations lacking thorough EFSA evaluation. It asks the Commission to develop sustainability criteria with Parliament involved and to take account of international agreements, and asks EFSA to develop methods to identify unintended effects of stacked GM events.

Key points

  1. Parliament considers the draft Commission implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
  2. It considers the draft decision not consistent with Union law because it is not compatible with the aim of ensuring a high level of protection of human and animal health and the environment.
  3. It calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision.
  4. It welcomes the Commission's recognition of the need to take sustainability into account in GMO authorisation decisions, but expresses strong disappointment that another GM soybean was authorised on 28 September 2020 despite an objection by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against.
  5. It calls on the Commission to move forward with the utmost urgency on developing sustainability criteria, with full involvement of Parliament, and to provide information on the process and timeframe.
  6. It urges the Commission to take into account the Union's obligations under international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  7. It reiterates its call on the Commission to stop authorising GMOs, for cultivation or for food and feed uses, when no opinion is delivered by Member States in the Appeal Committee.
  8. It reiterates its call not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops until health risks from residues are comprehensively investigated case by case, including residues from spraying, break-down products and combinatorial effects.
  9. It reiterates its call not to authorise any sub-combinations of stacked GM events unless thoroughly evaluated by EFSA on the basis of complete data submitted by the applicant.
  10. It considers that approving varieties for which no safety data have been provided, which have not been tested, or which have not even been created yet runs contrary to the principles of general food law.
  11. It reiterates its call on EFSA to further develop and systematically use methods to identify unintended effects of stacked GM events, such as adjuvant properties of Bt proteins.

Who is affected

  • The Commission: called on to withdraw the draft decision, stop authorising GMOs without Member State support, and develop sustainability criteria.
  • The European Food Safety Authority: asked to develop and use methods to identify unintended effects of stacked GM events.
  • Member States: their concerns and lack of a qualified majority in favour are cited as reasons for the objection.
  • The applicant Monsanto: no experimental data was provided for the six unauthorised sub-combinations.

Figures and deadlines

  • 24 May 2017: date Monsanto submitted the application to the Dutch competent authority.
  • 26 September 2019: date EFSA adopted its favourable opinion.
  • 7 November 2019: date the EFSA opinion was published.
  • 26 October 2020: date of the Standing Committee vote at which no opinion was delivered.
  • 11 September 2020: date of the Commission's letter to Members recognising the need to take sustainability into account.
  • 28 September 2020: date the Commission authorised another GM soybean for import.
  • 10 sub-combinations: number of sub-combinations covered by the application.
  • Six sub-combinations: the remaining ones covered by the draft Commission decision.