Brussels, 24/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - For public health and environmental protection reasons, the European Parliament's environment committee, which is chaired by Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy) objects to authorising the marketing of genetically modified plants intended for food use. The plants in question are a genetically modified carnation and maize hybrids that are resistant, inter alia, to glyphosate.
By a two third majority, the committee voted in Brussels on Tuesday 24 May to approve two draft objections to the authorisation of the placing on the market of these products, in the hope that the European Parliament will follow its lead and call on the Commission to withdraw its proposals.
The objection to the marketing of the genetically modified carnation Dianthus caryophyllus L., line SHD-27531-4 was passed by 39 votes to 23, with 1 abstention. Defending the vote, the committee pointed out that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had not assessed the possible consequences on human and animal health of consumption of this carnation's petals. It also highlighted a potential risk of the spread of pollen from these GMOs into the environment and the claim, by PAN (Pesticide Action Network) UK), that some herbicides, such as sulfonylureas to which this carnation is resistant, are highly toxic to plants at very low doses. The committee took the view that the European Commission's implementing decision did not satisfy the health and environmental objectives of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment and that the Commission has exceeded its implementing powers.
The objection to the marketing of products by SYNGENTA France SAS of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize bt 11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x GA21 was approved by 39 votes to 24, with no abstentions. In support of its objection, the committee argued that these products, which are resistant to Lepidoptera and to some Coleoptera, are also tolerant to the weed-killers glufosinate-ammonium and those based on glyphosate - a substance deemed by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer in March 2015 probably to be carcinogenic for human beings.
These maize varieties received a favourable opinion by EFSA in December 2015. Since the member states have been unable to reach a qualified majority decision on either to approve or reject authorisation, the Commission proposed that they be approved. The committee believes that the Commission has overstepped its implementing powers under Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed.
Bert Staes (Greens/EFA, Belgium) is the rapporteur on both matters, with Guillaume Balas (S&D, France), Lynn Boylan (GUE/NGL, Ireland), Eleonora Evi (EFDD, Italy) and Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, Finland) as co-rapporteurs. The plenary session vote is scheduled for June. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)