[REPONSE] Parlement européen, Question avec demande de réponse écrite à la Commission n°E-005460/2020 de Elena Lizzi (ID) du 6 octobre 2020 - Autorisation de la Commission pour le soja génétiquement modifié MON 87708 × MON 89788 × A5547-127 (Réponse du 03/12/2020)

Niveau juridique : Union européenne

Texte de la question :

« On 28 September, the Commission approved the import and marketing in the European Union of GM soybean MON 87708 × MON 89788 × A5547-127, which has undergone three different genetic modifications, making it tolerant to three different types of herbicides : Dicamba, Gliphosate and Glufosinate Ammonio. In 2016, the Monsanto multinational company, which has now been acquired by the German Bayer Group, applied for permission to market the product in the EU.

In its resolution of 13 May 2020, the European Parliament contested the way in which the application was approved. In the course of its eighth term, it has in fact tabled 36 resolutions opposing the marketing of GM crops and their cultivation in Europe. Since 2018 (the year in which the Bayer Group acquired Monsanto), glufosinate-ammonium has been banned in the EU because of its acknowledged plant reproductive toxicity and its possible presence in GM soybeans that are tolerant to this herbicide.

In view of this :

1. Can the Commission give the reasons for its failure to take account of the objections contained in Parliament’s resolution ?

2. Is it not fair to say that the cultivation ban, coupled with the import authorisation, is a financial blow to European producers and small seed companies ?

3. Is it a mere coincidence that authorisation has been granted during the six-month German Council presidency ? »

Réponse de Mme. Kyriakides pour le compte de la Commission du 3 décembre 2020 :

« 1. The Commission is closely following the debate in the European Parliament on genetically modified organisms and takes due note of the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament. The Commission would like to point out that it did not exceed its implementing powers by adopting Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1360(1), which authorises the placing on the market of genetically modified soybean MON 87708 × MON 89788 × A5547-127 for food and feed uses. In addition, the Commission would also like to note that following the submission of an application and the respective positive opinion of the European Food Safety Authority, Article 7(3) and Article 19(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 oblige the Commission to act, namely to adopt a final decision on the application(2).

2. Business operators in Europe have expressed very limited interest for the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) soybean in the EU and the volume of imports of soybean, including GM soybean, responds to the high protein feed demand for the EU livestock farmers.

3. Regarding the timing of adoption of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1360, in accordance with the rules set in Regulation (EU) 182/2011 on comitology(3), when the Appeal Committee cannot reach an opinion, it is for the Commission to decide on the adoption of a decision. The role of the Council in the adoption of implementing acts is limited to its right of scrutiny in accordance to Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 182/2011. »

(1) eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020D1360

(2) eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32003R1829&from=EN

(3) eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32011R0182&from=EN

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