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Adopted text

Genetically modified maize MON 89034 (MON-89Ø34-3)

TA-9-2020-0369 · P9_TA(2020)0369 · PE661.546

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Sept 2026

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Parliament adopted a resolution objecting to a draft Commission decision renewing the authorisation for food and feed containing genetically modified maize MON 89034. 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 raises concerns about the risk assessment, including Member State criticism of EFSA opinions, the validity of toxicity studies using isolated proteins, effects on non-target organisms, resistance and a literature review. It asks the Commission to stop authorising GMOs when Member States deliver no opinion, to develop sustainability criteria and to consider international obligations, and asks EFSA to widen its risk assessment.

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 is not consistent with Union law, as it is not compatible with the aim of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 to ensure 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 Parliament's objection.
  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 CBD and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  7. It reiterates its call on the Commission to stop authorising GMOs for cultivation or food and feed uses when no opinion is delivered by Member States in the Appeal Committee.
  8. It calls on EFSA to accept the differences between native Bt toxins and those expressed by synthetic transgenes and to widen its risk assessment to cover interactions and combinatorial effects.
  9. It calls on EFSA to no longer accept toxicity studies based on isolated proteins and to require all tests to be carried out with tissue from the GM plant.
  10. It calls on EFSA to ensure field trial or greenhouse data cover a sufficiently broad range of agronomic and environmental conditions and of different varieties.
  11. It calls on EFSA to request data on the impact of consumption of food and feed derived from GM plants on the intestinal microbiome.

Who is affected

  • The Commission, which is asked to withdraw its draft decision and stop authorising GMOs in certain cases.
  • The European Food Safety Authority, which is asked to widen its risk assessment and change its requirements for studies.
  • Member States, whose concerns about EFSA opinions and lack of qualified majority support are cited.
  • Monsanto Europe N.V. and Monsanto Company, which applied for renewal of the authorisation.

Figures and deadlines

  • 26 October 2020: vote of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health at which no opinion was delivered.
  • 3 August 2018: date Monsanto submitted the renewal application.
  • 3 December 2008: date EFSA adopted a favourable opinion on the initial authorisation, published on 18 December 2008.
  • 25 September 2019: date EFSA adopted a favourable opinion on the renewal, published on 07 November 2019.
  • 285 publications identified in the literature search, of which the applicant selected five.
  • 36 resolutions objecting to GMOs adopted in Parliament's eighth term; eleven objections in its ninth term.
  • Up to 20-fold enhancement of insecticidal activity of Bt toxins by proteinase inhibitors, from a 1990 study.
  • 39 peer-reviewed publications reporting adverse effects of Bt toxins on out-of-range species.