The EU’s GM food and feed authorisation procedure is “not working well” according to MEPs who have passed a “critical” vote in the European Parliament (EP) against the way imported products are being approved at present.
While the specific focus during a food safety debate in the parliament was on whether or not a glyphosate-tolerant GM maize should have been approved, the real debate was about GM approvals in general.
“MEPs point out that since the current GM authorisation process came into force, every GM authorisation decision has been taken by the Commission without the support of a qualified majority of member states,” it was stated in an EP press summary of the debate. “In effect, this turns what should be the exception into the norm.”
In that context, MEPs voted by 403 to 238 in favour of a suspension of further GM food and feed approvals, adding that this position should remain in place for as long as the authorisation procedure, which is currently under review, has not been improved.