The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has threatened the European Commission with censure if it pushes ahead with the authorisation of a new GMO crop variety for cultivation, despite having a record 19 governments oposing and 4 member states abstaining.
Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said, “why is the EU Comission showing all this disdain for the democratic process? Why is the Commission so keen on going ahead despite the strong opposition of European governments, including Malta, whom we commend? Is the EU Commission more interested in pushing the interests of the big GMO companies than safegurding the health of EU citizens?”
Commenting on the situation, Greens/EFA co-president Dany Cohn-Bendit stated, “Pushing ahead with the authorisation of this GM maize variety, against the background of clear opposition in the Council and the European Parliament, would demonstrate a disdain for the democratic process by the European Commission. This is not to mention the consistent and determined public opposition to GMOs in Europe.
“This issue is a test of European democracy and, if the Commission doggedly pursues the authorisation of GM maize 1507 in spite of this democratic opposition, we will launch a motion of censure in the European Parliament.”