SP(2023)48

Results of vote in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted by 425 votes to 182, with 20 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

On 10 December 2020, BASF SE, based in Germany, submitted an application on behalf of BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, based in the United States, to the Commission for the renewal of that authorisation. On 4 May 2022, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion in relation to the renewal of the authorisation of the GM soybean, which was published on 20 June 2022.

The GM soybean confers tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium-containing herbicides.

Lack of assessment of the complementary herbicide

Parliament pointed out that a number of studies show that herbicide-tolerant GM crops result in a higher use of complementary herbicides, in large part because of the emergence of herbicide-tolerant weeds. Consequently, it has to be expected that the GM soybean will be exposed to both higher and repeated doses of glufosinate, and that therefore a higher quantity of residues and their breakdown products (‘metabolites’) may be present in the harvest.

The resolution stated that glufosinate is classified as toxic to reproduction 1B. Whilst the use of glufosinate has not been permitted in the Union since the end of July 2018, figures show that since 2020 it has been exported from the Union to Brazil, Argentina, the United States, Canada and Japan, all of which have an approval for cultivation of the GM soybean.

Furthermore, the assessment of herbicide residues and metabolites found on GM plants is considered outside the remit of the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms. It is therefore not undertaken as part of the authorisation process for GMOs.

Member State comments

Member States submitted comments to EFSA during the three-month consultation period. Those critical comments include the fact that information is missing for the toxicological assessment and the phenotypic characterisation necessary for the finalisation of the environmental risk assessment, that the toxicological assessment has weaknesses, such as regarding unclear herbicide treatment and a lack of information on contamination by foreign genetic material, and that monitoring reports concerning the GM soybean for the authorisation period have fundamental shortcomings.

Undemocratic decision-making

The vote on 27 October 2022 of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed delivered no opinion, meaning that the authorisation was not supported by a qualified majority of Member States.

Parliament expressed its deep disappointment that the Commission has continued to authorise GMOs for import into the Union, despite ongoing objections by Parliament and a majority of Member States voting against.

In the light of these considerations, Parliament considered that the draft Commission implementing decision is not consistent with Union law, which aims to provide the basis for ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, animal health and welfare, and environmental and consumer interests in relation to genetically modified food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market.

Accordingly, Parliament called on the Commission to:

- withdraw its draft implementing decision and to submit a new draft to the committee;

- not to authorise the import of herbicide-tolerant GM crops, due to the increased use of complementary herbicides, and the associated risks to biodiversity, food safety and workers’ health;

- deliver on its commitment to come forward with a proposal to ensure that hazardous chemicals banned in the Union are not produced for export;

- immediately suspend the import of GM soybeans cultivated in Brazil and Argentina, using Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 if necessary, until effective legally binding mechanisms have been put in place to prevent the placing on the Union market of products associated with deforestation and related human rights violations;

- not authorise GMOs when there is not a qualified majority of Member States in favour.

T9-0433/2022

B9-0548/2022