The European Parliament opposed the European Commission plans to authorise five GMO products, maize Bt11, 1507 and MON810 (seeds and products), and a glyphosate-resistant cotton, in a vote on Thursday. MEPs reiterated their call for a reform of the EU’s GMO authorisation procedure.

The five non-binding resolutions were tabled by objectors Bart Staes (Greens/EFA, BE), Sirpa Pietikäinen (EPP, FI), Guilliaume Balas (S&D, FR), Lynn Boylan (GUE/NGL, IE) and Eleonora Evi (EFDD, IT).

Butterflies and moths

MEPs worry that maize Bt11 and maize 1507 could harm “non-target” species of butterflies and moths. They question the concept, introduced by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of an "acceptable local mortality" of non-target lepidopteran species.

Bt toxin

The EFSA assessment of maize MON 810 seeds lacks data, say MEPs, who point out that possible cross-contamination by an invasive plant carrying Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin, used as a pesticide, poses “major risks for farmers and the environment”.

Who authorises?

In the cases of MON810 products and genetically modified cotton 281-24-236 × 3006-210-23 × MON 88913 (DAS-24236-5×DAS-21Ø23-5×MON-88913-8), MEPs point out that GMOs are now being authorised in the EU by the Commission, without the support of opinions of member state committees. This was supposed to be an exception to the usual decision-taking procedure, but has in fact become the norm.

Background

A separate EU law that would enable any EU member state to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of EU-approved GMO food or feed on its territory was opposed by Parliament in October 2015. MEPs are concerned that this law might prove unworkable or that it could lead to the reintroduction of border checks between pro- and anti-GMO countries. They called on the Commission to table a new proposal.

Reaction

On Thursday, the Greens EFA group in the European Parliament said MEPs have lost confidence in the Commission’s authorisation process for GM crops, and noted that a majority in the European Parliament has been consistently supporting Greens’ objections.

Commenting after the vote, Green food safety spokesperson Bart Staes said, "With a majority of Member States and the majority of EU citizens opposed to GMOs, today's vote shows there is undeniable EU opposition to both the import and cultivation of GMOs in the EU.

“The cultivation of genetically modified maize carries a high risk to the environment and to farmers, producing dangerous toxins in our soil, air and water. We have particular concerns regarding both EFSA’s assessment of these GMOs, and the Commission’s interpretation. All three set for cultivation produce the Bt toxin, enabling them to be “pest-resistant”, but also making them a risk to protected and pollinating insects. But while EFSA has recommended at least 20 metres distance between MON 810 and Bt11 fields and protected areas, and 30 metres for 1507 maize, the European Commission is proposing distances of as little as five metres for the first two and 20 for 1507 maize.

Staes said there is also a danger that GM maize could confer its toxin to the invasive weed teosinte in Spain and France. The Greens spokesperson added, "The Greens have long argued that the authorisation process for GMOs is not fit for purpose and needs to be urgently overhauled. Until this happens, the only responsible approach is to place a moratorium on all GMO approvals, both for import and for cultivation."