Resolution on the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1443 of 29 June 2026 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combinations DP202216 x NK603, DP202216 x DAS-40278-9, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council
The European Parliament adopted by 417 votes to 167, with 15 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1443 of 29 June 2026 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combinations DP202216 x NK603, DP202216 x DAS-40278-9, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European
Parliament and of the Council.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1443 authorised the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combinations DP202216 x NK603, DP202216 x DAS-40278-9, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
On 10 March 2023, Corteva Agriscience Belgium B.V., based in Belgium, on behalf of Corteva Agriscience LLC, based in the United States, submitted an application for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize DP202216 × NK603 × DAS-40279-9.
On 30 October 2025, EFSA adopted a favourable scientific opinion in relation to the authorisation of the GM maize, which was published on 5 December 2025. EFSA concluded that the GM maize and its sub-combinations, as described in the application, are as safe as their conventional counterpart and the tested non-genetically modified maize reference varieties with respect to the potential effects on human and animal health and the environment. EFSA also concluded that the consumption of food and feed from the GM maize and its sub-combinations does not represent any nutritional concern for humans and animals. The opinion did not address several broader environmental, socio-economic, and cumulative impacts which EFSA considers to fall outside its remit.
Shortcomings in the evaluation
The resolution stated that the risk assessments 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.
The vast majority of GM crops, including the GM maize, 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. However, a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides. Moreover, significant scientific uncertainties regarding the safety of glyphosate for human health and the environment persist.
Furthermore, the Commission implementing decision would continue to allow imports into the Union that do not comply with the standards observed by Union farmers, thereby placing them at a competitive disadvantage.
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. Despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs.
Recommendations
In light of these considerations, Parliament concluded that the Commission's implementing decision exceeded the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and was not in conformity with European Union law. Consequently, it called on the Commission to:
- repeal Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1443;
- not to authorise the import of 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;
- take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements, such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.