The voting that took place in the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) rejected the Commission’s draft proposals to authorise two new GMOs products.

MEPs demanded that the Commission withdraw the draft implementing decisions on carnations and maize since the Commission has failed to come forward with a credible GMO authorisation reform, one that puts the environment and consumer protection at its heart.

Irish GUE/NGL MEP  Lynn Boylan criticised the Commission on its approach: “The Commission doesn’t seem to be really listening or at least seriously engaged given that over a year after they proposed their useless revision to the GMO approval process which was rapidly rejected by MEPs we are still waiting for a serious proposal for reform.

“Continuing to try and bulldoze authorisations through without either the qualified majority of the EU member states or the support of the European Parliament is unacceptable and makes a mockery of supposed democratic decision-making in Europe.

“I call on the Commission to urgently come forward with a serious reform if it wants to salvage what’s left of its reputation to the citizens as a defender of public health.”

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

Nikki Sullings + 32 483 03 55 75