In the name of public health and environmental protection, on Thursday 11 March, the European Parliament opposed the marketing authorisation of a maize and cotton crop genetically modified to resist glufosinate and produce bt proteins.
In both cases, the objections concern the GMOs themselves and the products containing them, intended for human or animal consumption (see EUROPE 12672/13).
Maize MZIR098 (SYN-ØØØ98-3) has been modified to tolerate glufosinate-containing herbicides and produce two insecticidal proteins toxic to certain beetle larvae. The objection was adopted by 495 votes to 181, with 19 abstentions.
The hybrid cotton GHB614 × T304-40 × GHB119 is resistant to herbicides containing glufosinate and glyphosate and produces two insecticidal proteins that are toxic to some lepidopteran larvae. The objection was adopted by 491 votes to 184, with 20 abstentions.
The European Parliament argues that glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction and that the authorisation for the use of glufosinate in the EU expired on 31 July 2018.
It also points to shortcomings in EFSA’s risk assessment and the failure to consider concerns raised by the Member States, calling the process undemocratic.
The Commission is urged to withdraw its draft implementing decisions and move forward urgently with the development of sustainability criteria for GMO authorisation decisions, fully involving the European Parliament. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)