MEPs have objected EU Commission plans to authorise imports of products made from genetically modified (GM) maize and cotton which are herbicide-resistant.
The MEPs highlighted concerns over harmful herbicide residues which can cause adverse effects to embryo development and endocrine disruption, and that an overhaul of the GM authorisation procedure by Commission needed.
EU Member States criticised the authorisation procedure during the three-month consultation period before approval, referring to missing or insufficient data, contradictory statements and poor test design.
The non-binding resolution was adopted with 435 votes to 216 and 34 abstentions.
In a separate resolution, adopted with 425 votes to 230 and 27 abstentions, MEPs say that imports of products from genetically modified cotton GHB119 should not be authorised, as this would encourage the use of glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides (to which GHB119 is resistant) in the world, while glufosinate is classified as toxic for reproduction.
Commenting after the vote, Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East and a member of the European Parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee said the vote is a 'victory'.
"Both of the GMOs we voted down today are specifically designed to be tolerant to herbicides that pose a credible risk to human health."
