GM Soybean MON 94637: Safety Concerns Block Approval

What is being discussed

• GM soybean MON 94637 is a genetically modified soybean that produces two new Bt proteins (Cry1A.2 and Cry1B.2) to protect against moth and butterfly pests.
• The European Commission is preparing a decision that would allow this soybean, and any food or feed made from it, to be sold in the EU.

Parliament’s concerns

• Safety assessment

• EFSA gave a favourable opinion in July 2025, but the Parliament notes:

• The new Bt proteins are much more potent than earlier versions, raising new safety questions.

• The company’s scientific review had methodological problems and omitted some studies.

• Genetic changes were not fully mapped with modern sequencing, so unintended DNA changes may exist.

• Gene‑expression tests were performed only in one field, one year, and one country.

• Toxicity tests mainly used Bt proteins produced in bacteria, not the plant‑produced proteins.

• Some significant findings in 28‑ and 90‑day animal studies were not followed up.

• Possible interactions between the two Bt proteins, plant chemicals, or other stressors were not studied.

• The environmental risk assessment did not fully consider accidental releases or effects on non‑target organisms.

• Democratic process

• The Commission should not approve GMOs unless a qualified majority of Member States in the relevant committees supports it.

• Both committees (Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed and the Appeal Committee) voted no opinion, meaning no majority support.

• One Health approach

• Safety must consider long‑term health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment together. The current assessment does not meet this holistic view.

• International commitments

• Authorising a GM crop tolerant to a herbicide (glufosinate) banned in the EU would conflict with the EU’s commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals, and would give an unfair advantage to companies that can use that herbicide.

Parliament’s requests to the Commission

1. Withdraw the draft decision that would allow the GM soybean to be sold.
2. Do not authorise the soybean until there is clear, long‑term evidence that it is safe for biodiversity, food safety, farmers’ livelihoods, and animal health.
3. Reform the GMO decision‑making process to reflect Parliament’s objections and the lack of qualified‑majority support from Member States.
4. Submit a new legislative proposal that addresses these democratic and safety concerns.
5. Inform the Council, the Commission, and all Member State governments and parliaments about this resolution.

Implications for consumers and farmers

• The EU Parliament is not ready to allow this GM soybean on the market because the safety evidence is incomplete and the approval process lacks democratic backing.
• Until the Commission revises its decision and provides stronger safety data, the soybean will not be sold in the EU.
• The Parliament’s stance reflects a broader concern that GM crops should be thoroughly tested, transparently approved, and consistent with EU environmental and international commitments.

Broader context

The legislation around genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the EU is governed by strict regulations to ensure food safety, environmental protection, and consumer transparency. The EU follows the precautionary principle, meaning that if there is scientific uncertainty about the safety of a product, it should not be approved until its safety is proven.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for assessing the risks of GMOs before they can be authorized for sale or cultivation in the EU. However, the European Parliament and Member States also play a key role in the decision-making process. The approval of GMOs often faces political and public resistance due to concerns about long-term health and environmental impacts, as well as ethical considerations.

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are international frameworks that the EU is committed to upholding. These frameworks emphasize the need to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The authorization of GM crops that are tolerant to banned herbicides, such as glufosinate, could conflict with these commitments.

Impact on people living in the EU

For consumers, the European Parliament's stance means that GM soybean MON 94637 will not be available for sale in the EU until further safety assessments are conducted. This ensures that the food and feed products available in the EU market continue to meet high safety standards.

For farmers, the decision highlights the importance of transparency and thorough testing before introducing new GM crops. Farmers in the EU will not have access to this specific GM soybean for cultivation or feed use until the concerns raised by the Parliament are addressed.

The Parliament's resolution also underscores the need for a democratic and science-based approach to GMO approvals, ensuring that decisions align with the One Health approach, which considers the interconnected health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment.