For reasons of public health and environmental protection, the European Parliament vetoed, on Thursday 31 January in Strasbourg, the authorisation to bring to market or the renewal of the authorisation for four varieties of genetically modified organisms - one rapeseed, two maize and one cotton - intended for use as food or feed.
Parliament justified its objection by pointing to deficiencies in the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) assessment of the risks to human and animal health and the environment, to the resistance of these GMOs to the herbicides glyphosate and glufosinate, which is now banned in the EU, and to concerns about the production of a Bt toxin.
The Parliament’s veto concerns both the GMO itself and products containing it.
The objection to the renewal of the authorisation of Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3 rapeseed was adopted by a large majority (414 votes in favour, 193 against and 36 abstentions).
The objection to the authorisation of Syngenta's maize 5307 (SYN-Ø53Ø7-1), which produces an insecticidal Bt protein, was passed by 385 votes to 204 with 55 abstentions.
The veto of Monsanto's MON 874Ø3-1 maize was approved by 391 votes in favour, 204 against and 47 abstentions.
By a vote of 465 to 122 with 55 abstentions, MEPs objected to the authorisation of GHB614 × LLCotton25 × MON 15985 cotton produced by Bayer Cropscience AG, which is intended for animal feed and resistant to glyphosate and glufosinate.
The four cases were considered under Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed. The authorisation proposed by the Commission was based on a favourable opinion from the EFSA. In all cases, the representatives of the Member States failed to reach a qualified majority for or against the authorisation. An objection by Parliament is not legally binding. The Commission will therefore be able to take the decision on its own initiative. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)