Resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DAS1131, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council

The European Parliament adopted by 453 votes to 171, with 19 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DAS1131, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

On 17 June 2022, Corteva Agriscience Belgium B.V., based in Belgium, on behalf of Corteva Agriscience LLC, based in the United States, submitted an application to the national competent authority of the Netherlands for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DAS1131 (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.

EFSA issued a favourable opinion on 5 February 2025, concluding that the GM maize is as safe as its conventional counterpart.

Lack of assessment

The risk assessment carried out by EFSA did not include long-term toxicological studies or detailed analysis of cumulative and combinatorial effects, including potential interactions with residues of pesticides commonly used in maize

Cultivation. Field trials supporting the application were conducted under limited geographical and climatic conditions that do not represent the full diversity of maize-growing regions, including those strongly affected by climate change-related stressors.

According to the resolution, independent monitoring and surveillance of potential adverse effects on biodiversity, soil health, pollinators and non-target organisms remain insufficiently guaranteed.

Furthermore, Parliament has repeatedly stressed that the Commission should not authorise GMOs in cases where no qualified majority is reached by Member States in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed or the Appeal Committee, in order to address the persistent democratic deficit.

Recommendations

On the basis of these considerations, Parliament considered that the Commission's implementing decision exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and that it is not consistent EU law. Consequently, it called on the Commission to:

- withdraw its draft implementing decision;

- not authorise the GM maize due to the lack of sufficient evidence on long-term impacts on biodiversity, food safety and farmers’ livelihoods in line with the One Health approach;

- submit, without delay, a legislative proposal to reform the decision-making procedure on GMOs in order to respond to the consistent objections of Parliament and the lack of qualified majority support among Member States;

- take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations (UN) Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.