Resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize GA21 × T25 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council
The European Parliament adopted by 427 votes to 175, with 13 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize GA21 × T25 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
On 31 October 2016, Syngenta Crop Protection S.A./N.V, based in Belgium, on behalf of Syngenta Crop Protection AG, based in Switzerland, submitted an application to the national competent authority of Germany for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize GA21 × T25 (the ‘GM maize’). The application also covered the placing on the market of products containing or consisting of the GM maize for uses other than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation.
On 30 November 2022, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion in relation to the authorisation of the GM maize.
Lack of assessment of the complementary herbicide
Parliament pointed out that the vast majority of GM crops have been genetically modified so that they are tolerant to one or more ‘complementary’ herbicides which can be used throughout the cultivation of the GM crop, without the crop dying, as would be the case for a non-herbicide tolerant crop. A number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds.
Herbicide-tolerant GM crops lock farmers into a weed management system that is largely or wholly dependent on herbicides, and does so by charging a premium for GM seeds that can be justified only if farmers purchasing such seed also spray the complementary herbicide.
The GM maize was developed to confer tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides and glufosinate-ammonium herbicide.
Parliament stated that assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms and is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs.
Undemocratic decision-making
Members recalled that the vote on 1 June 2023 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States. The reasons for Member States not supporting authorisations include lack of respect for the precautionary principle in the authorisation process and scientific concerns relating to the risk assessment. The lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament means that the Commission continues to authorise GMOs.
Recommendations
On the basis of these considerations, Parliament considered that the Commission's implementing decision is not consistent EU law. Consequently, it called on the Commission to:
- withdraw its draft implementing decision;
- not to authorise herbicide-tolerant GM crops, due to the associated increased use of complementary herbicides and therefore the increased risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health;
- come forward with a proposal to ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export.
Noting that the Commission recognised the need to take sustainability into account when it comes to authorisation decisions on GMOs, Parliament expressed its deep disappointment that the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against. The Commission is urged to take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements.