Resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21, and genetically modified maizes combining two, three or four of the events Bt11, 59122, MIR604, 1507 and GA21
The European Parliament adopted by 426 votes to 320, with 38 abstentions, a resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21, and genetically modified maizes combining two, three or four of the events Bt11, 59122, MIR604, 1507 and GA21, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed.
The resolution was tabled by the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Parliament called on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21, and all of the 20 sub-combinations of these products.
Concerns: Members recalled that hundreds of critical comments have been submitted by Member States during the three-month consultation period concerning, inter alia, missing information and data, poorly performed studies, missing studies, missing evidence to exclude certain routes of exposure, as well as the failure to demonstrate that the product does not have any adverse effects on the environment.
On 26 August 2016, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gave a favourable opinion. However, a minority opinion stated that no specific data regarding any of those 20 sub-combinations have been provided by the Applicant, who also did not give a satisfactory rationale explaining the reasons why those data are missing and/or why he would consider that they are not necessary for the risk assessment.
Procedural aspects: Parliament recalled that since the entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, authorisation decisions have been adopted by the Commission without the support of the Member States’ committee opinion and that the return of the dossier to the Commission for final decision, which is very much the exception for the procedure as a whole, has become the norm for decision-making on genetically modified food and feed authorisations.
By its resolution of 28 October 2015, Parliament already opposed a legislative proposal which would have allowed any Member State to restrict or prohibit the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territory.
According to Members, approving varieties for which no safety data have been provided, which have not even been tested, or which have not even been created yet, runs contrary to the principles of the general food law, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. It is for this reason that they requested the withdrawal of the draft Commission implementing decision.