Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified soybean MON 87769

The European Parliament adopted by 442 votes to 196 with 9 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87769 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

On 11 March 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) received an application for the renewal of the authorisation of the GM soybean under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. On 19 January 2026, EFSA adopted its scientific opinion on the renewal application, concluding that, under the assumption that the DNA sequence of the GM soybean considered for renewal is identical to that of the originally assessed event, there was no evidence in the renewal dossier of new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment.

It should be noted that the original risk assessment was carried out more than ten years ago. The original assessment identified, in addition to the intended changes in fatty acid composition, differences in other components of the GM soybean, including protein, carbohydrates, isoflavones, phytoestrogens and phytic acid. These compositional differences warrant particular scrutiny given that the GM soybean is intentionally nutritionally modified. Concerns have been raised that the original comparative assessment relied on statistical methods from the 2006 EFSA guidance, despite EFSA having introduced a different equivalence-testing approach in its 2011 guidance.

Against this background, EFSA recommends continued post-market monitoring for food but considers such monitoring unnecessary for feed. Given the substantially altered nutritional composition of the GM soybean and the absence of meaningful Union dietary exposure during the previous authorisation period, continued monitoring should provide robust and systematic information on actual exposure and potential nutritional effects.

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 is not consistent with European Union law. Consequently, it called on the Commission to:

- withdraw its draft implementing decision;

- not to renew the authorisation of the GM soybean due to the associated risks, environmental impacts and insufficient long-term evidence, in line with the One Health approach;

- require, prior to any renewal of the authorisation, an updated assessment of the nutritional and compositional changes associated with the GM soybean, including the altered fatty acid profile and other identified compositional differences, taking into account realistic patterns of consumption and the potential effects of long-term exposure;

- ensure that the assessment of the GM soybean takes into account relevant scientific developments and current risk-assessment methodologies, including appropriate statistical methods for assessing compositional differences between the GM soybean and its conventional comparator;

- strengthen the post-market monitoring requirements for the GM soybean by ensuring systematic collection of data on actual imports, uses and consumption of GM soybean-derived food products in the Union, and by establishing a mechanism to review the authorisation if actual exposure differs materially from the assumptions underpinning the risk assessment;

- apply the precautionary principle and refrain from renewing the authorisation until certain relevant scientific have been addressed;

- 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.