The European Parliament adopted by 468 votes to 166, with 14 abstentions, a resolution objecting the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 94804 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

On 14 February 2023, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, an application to the national competent authority of the Netherlands for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 94804. On 13 March 2024, EFSA adopted a favourable opinion, which was published on 26 April 2024.

The GM maize was genetically engineered to produce an artificial miRNA intended to selectively suppress two genes within a larger gene family involved in the biosynthetic pathway of gibberellic acid (GA), thus reducing the plant’s height.

Parliament stressed that pending questions concern the effects of artificial miRNA considering that the applicant presents insufficient and incomplete data on interactions between the artificial miRNA, the products emerging from further processes in the cells, the persistence of these molecules in the cells and their interference in other regulatory networks. Outstanding questions concern the effects of reduced gibberellins level .

Members also insisted on the need to reduce the dependency on imported feed.

Member States submitted many critical comments to EFSA including that gibberellins are major regulators of various physiological processes in plants, in particular related to biotic and abiotic stressors, and that the data provided by the applicant are incomplete in assessing the potential impact of reduced gibberellins levels on all these processes, and that the variety in field trials is insufficient. Member States also criticised the lack of data on the risks posed by a possible long term stability of the artificial miRNA in the plant.

On a procedural note, Parliament recalled that it adopted 38 resolutions objecting to the placing GMOs on the market. Despite its own acknowledgement of the democratic shortcomings, the lack of support from Member States and the objections of Parliament, the Commission continues to authorise GMOs.

On the basis of these considerations, Parliament considered that the Implementing Decision is not consistent with Union law , which is 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 GM food and feed, while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market.

Therefore, Parliament called on the Commission to:

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

- take into account the Union’s obligations under international agreements , such as the Paris Climate Agreement, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The draft implementing acts should be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum explaining how they uphold the principle of ‘do no harm’.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading

T10-0045/2024

B10-0153/2024