Should the New GMO Cotton Stay on the Market?

European Parliament Resolution on GM Cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25 (P10_TA(2026)0043)

The Parliament is reviewing the Commission’s draft decision to renew the market authorisation for products made from genetically modified cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25, a crop that is tolerant to the herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate.

Key points

1. Background

• The original authorisation (Commission Implementing Decision 2015/690) allowed food, feed and other products made from this cotton but not its cultivation.
• BASF submitted a renewal application on 22 March 2024.
• EFSA issued a favourable scientific opinion on 30 June 2025 (published 7 August 2025). It found no new hazards or changes in exposure compared with the 2014 assessment, but it did not cover long‑term or cumulative effects.

2. Scientific and environmental concerns

• The cotton is engineered to survive glufosinate (classified as toxic to reproduction 1B) and glyphosate (classified by the IARC as a probable human carcinogen).
• Herbicide‑tolerant crops tend to increase herbicide use, leading to “herbicide treadmill” problems: more resistant weeds, more herbicide use, and greater impacts on soil health, water quality, biodiversity and human/animal exposure.
• EFSA’s risk assessment did not include long‑term toxicology or detailed studies of combined pesticide effects.
• Independent monitoring of impacts on biodiversity, soil health and pollinators is insufficient.

3. Political and democratic issues

• The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed and the Appeal Committee have not given a qualified majority opinion in favour of the renewal.
• Parliament has repeatedly opposed GMOs, adopting 36 resolutions in its eighth term and 38 in its ninth term.
• The Commission continues to authorise GM crops despite these objections, creating a democratic deficit.

4. Calls made by Parliament

• Withdraw the draft implementing decision and refuse to renew the authorisation for the GM cotton.
• Submit a legislative proposal to reform the GMO decision‑making process so that it reflects Parliament’s objections and the lack of qualified majority support.
• Ensure that any GM crop tolerant to banned herbicides (like glufosinate) is not imported, as this would violate the EU’s commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Apply the precautionary principle and the One Health approach, considering human, animal, plant and environmental health together.

5. Other GM crop authorisations

• Parliament has also adopted or considered resolutions on GM maize (MON 89034, MON 810, etc.), cotton (COT102, MON 88913), soybean (MON 87708), oilseed rape (MON 88302) and sugar beet (KWS20‑1).
• Many of these resolutions either renew or authorise the market placement of these crops, but Parliament remains critical of the overall GMO policy.

Conclusion
The Parliament urges the Commission to cancel the renewal of GM cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25, to reform GMO decision‑making, and to align EU policy with international commitments and the precautionary principle.