On 1 July 2026, the European Parliament tabled a motion for a resolution objecting to the European Commission's draft decision to renew the authorisation for importing products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705. The motion, led by the Socialists and Democrats group and co-signed by MEPs Biljana Borzan, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Martin Häusling, and Anja Hazekamp, argues that the draft decision exceeds the Commission's implementing powers under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and violates the precautionary principle enshrined in Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. If adopted, the resolution would block the renewal, affecting EU food and feed markets and importers who rely on this GM soybean variety.
The motion targets Commission draft decision D114998/03, which would renew authorisation for GM soybean MON 87705—engineered for increased oleic acid content and glyphosate tolerance—for food, feed, and other products excluding cultivation. The renewal application was submitted by Bayer Agriculture BV (Belgium) on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP (US) on 8 March 2024. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a favourable opinion on 12 January 2026, but Parliament contends that EFSA omitted assessments of long-term toxicology, cumulative effects of multiple GM events, and interactions with herbicide residues. Member States failed to reach a qualified majority in the Standing Committee on 27 April 2026 and again in the Appeal Committee on 2 June 2026, leaving the Commission to decide. Parliament now calls on the Commission to withdraw the draft decision and not authorise imports of herbicide-tolerant GM crops, citing increased herbicide use and risks to biodiversity, food safety, and workers' health.
The resolution, if passed in plenary, would formally reject the Commission's draft and force the Commission to either withdraw it or submit a revised version. The move pits the Parliament against the Commission and pro-GM industry stakeholders, including Bayer and EU importers, who argue that EFSA's scientific assessment is sufficient. Environmental and consumer groups support the Parliament's stance, warning that renewed authorisation could undermine EU sustainability goals and the precautionary principle. The outcome will depend on the plenary vote, expected in the coming weeks.