Resolution on the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427, pursuant to Regulation No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council

The European Parliament adopted by 426 votes to 157, with 17 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 87427, pursuant to Regulation No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

On 19 March 2024, Bayer Agriculture B.V., based in Belgium, on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States of America, submitted an application to the Commission for the renewal of that authorisation. The scope of the renewal application covers food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from the GM maize, and products containing or consisting of it for other uses than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation. The scope of that authorisation also covers the placing on the market of products, other than food and feed, containing or consisting of the GM maize for the same uses as any other maize, with the exception of cultivation.

EFSA issued a favourable opinion on 27 March 2025, concluding that the renewal application did not contain evidence of new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of its original risk assessment issued in 2015.

Lack of assessment

EFSA’s assessment did not sufficiently address cumulative and combinatorial effects, long-term toxicological studies or indirect ecological consequences of increased glyphosate use. The GM maize is tolerant to glyphosate and glyphosate has been associated with risks to biodiversity, soil and water health, as well as potential impacts on human health. The large-scale cultivation of glyphosate-tolerant GM crops in exporting countries has led to higher herbicide use, the emergence of resistant weeds, and negative consequences for farming systems, ecosystems and rural communities. The monitoring plan for environmental effects provided for in the draft Commission implementing decision relies largely on general surveillance without providing for targeted, independent long-term studies on pollinators, soil organisms, aquatic life and non-target species.

Parliament has consistently objected to GMO authorisations and renewals in cases where no qualified majority is reached among Member States in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed or the Appeal Committee, underlining the persistent democratic deficit in the decision-making procedure.

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 renew the authorisation of the GM maize due to the risks associated with glyphosate use, resistant weeds, biodiversity loss and insufficient long-term evidence, 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.