At its plenary session last week, the European Parliament formally objected to plans by the EU Commission to authorize imports of products made from genetically modified maize and cotton that are herbicide-resistant. The MEPs called on the Commission to redraft the authorization procedure.   

The non-binding resolution adopted with 435 votes to 216 and 34 abstentions opposes the marketing of products containing maize DAS-40278-9, due to the risks associated with the herbicide 2,4d to which the maize is resistant.      

MEPs said the authorization procedure during the three-month consultation period before approval was marred by missing or insufficient data, contradictory statements and poor test design.   

Separately, the session adopted voted 425 to 230 with 27 abstentions to ban imports of products made from genetically modified cotton GHB119. This, it said, would encourage the use of glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides – to which GHB119 is resistant –  although glufosinate is classified as toxic for reproduction.