Brussels, 16/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has voted to object to a decision by the European Commission to authorise a new glyphosate-resistant GM maize variety (NK603 x T25) for use in the EU.
The European Parliament is opposed to the authorisation in the EU of the marketing of the highly controversial genetically-modified maize for food and feed NK 603 X T25 which is resistant to the glyphosate weed killer and is recognised by the WHO and International Committee of Research into Cancer as a likely carcinogen.
On Wednesday 16 December, MEPs made their opposition clear, voting by a wide majority (403 to 238 with 50 abstentions) against the European Commission's authorisation proposal, as recommended by the EP's environment committee (see EUROPE 11443).
The vote was a wasted effort, however, because the European Commission had already decided in the meantime to finalise the formal authorization process (see EUROPE 11446), to the dismay of the MEPs who voted to reject the GMO.
“In objecting to the authorisation of this GM maize, MEPs have today issued a clear rebuke to the EU Commission over its decision to push ahead with the authorisation of genetically-modified food and feed. Scandalously, the Commission proceeded to finalise the authorisation despite the EP's environment committee having voted to object to the authorisation and without waiting for the plenary vote,” commented MEP Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, Belgium), spokesperson for food security issues, adding: “This is a blow to the EU's democratic process and underlines the urgent need to revise the EU system for approving genetically-modified food.” (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)