GMO authorisation
MEPs issue rebuke to EU Commission on authorisation of GM maize variety
The European Parliament's environment committee today voted to object to a decision by the European Commission to authorise a new GM maize variety (NK603 x T25) for use in the EU. The objection, which will now be voted on by the parliament as a whole, is not binding but sends a strong political signal to the Commission. After the vote, Green food safety spokesperson Bart Staes said:
“MEPs have today issued a rebuke to the EU Commission over its decision to push ahead with the authorisation of genetically-modified food and feed for use in the EU. We would urge the Commission to heed this political signal and implement a moratorium on the authorisation of GM food or feed. With the Commission itself having acknowledged the need to reform the flawed authorisation process, it should not be continuing to approve GMOs in the interim.
"The European Parliament voted to reject a wrongheaded proposal to revise the EU system for authorising genetically-modified food and feed by allowing national opt-outs. MEPs urged the Commission to go back to the drawing board and come forward with a new proposal that properly addresses the major flaws with the EU authorisation process. This should be a top priority for the Commission. In the absence of a properly reformed authorisation system, it is irresponsible to proceed with further GMO approvals. The Commission must now come forward with a real reform that addresses these problems, as President Juncker committed to doing."
