The European Parliament\u2019s Greens group on Wednesday (12 February) threatened to table a motion of censure against the European Commission, because of its persistence to authorise a GM crop that was rejected by 19 member states and a parliamentary majority.<\/p>\n
The Greens, other MEPs and environmental organisations were outraged by the Commission\u2019s decision to move ahead and authorise the GMO maize crop Pioneer 1507, despite the opposition of 19 member states which voted against on Tuesday (11 February).<\/p>\n
In a wave of reactions on Wednesday, Green MEPs poured scorn on the EU executive, calling its decision \u201ca disdain for the democratic process\u201d.<\/p>\n
Daniel Cohn-Bendit, the co-president of the Greens group in Parliament, said in a statement<\/a>: \u201cif the Commission doggedly pursues the authorisation\u00a0\u2026 we will launch a motion of censure in the European Parliament.\u201d<\/p>\n Such a motion, which can be tabled by a minimum of 77 MEPs, could \u2013 after several steps \u2013 mount up to a resignation of the entire Barroso II commissioners team. According to the rules of procedure<\/a>, at least one tenth of MEPs have to support the motion. If tabled, it is likely to make the agenda at the EP\u2019s plenary session on 24-27 February.<\/p>\n A motion of censure requires approval by two-thirds of all 766 MEPs. An approval would also force the EU Commission to step down. This would be the first time in EU history: in 1999, the EU Commission led by Jacques Santer faced such a censure, but decided to resign before the motion was tabled.<\/p>\n Insiders in The Greens group described the threat as a \u201cwarning shot\u201d, hoping the Commission would cave in and redraw its proposal. If not, they claim they will table the motion.<\/p>\n The Greens are also looking into legal action against the proposal, arguing that the EU executive changed its proposal before the Council vote, effectively sidestepping a second reading in the Parliament\u2019s responsible committee.<\/p>\n Commission has ‘no choice’<\/strong><\/p>\n The row concerns the GM maize \u2018Pioneer 1507\u2019 developed jointly by DuPont and Dow Chemical,\u00a0which will be approved by the European Commission following the inconclusive ministerial meeting on Tuesday (11 February).<\/p>\n 19 member states \u2013 a record \u2013 objected to the proposal in an EU Council vote, while five voted in\u00a0favour\u00a0and four abstained.<\/p>\n While countries made their positions known in a public debate, they stopped short of a formal vote. Under EU rules, a failure by member states to decide paves the way for automatic approval by the Commission.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no choice\u201d confirmed Roger Waite, the European Commission\u2019s agriculture spokesperson. \u201cThe rules are clear\u201d, he explained, \u201can abstention is equivalent to a vote in favour.\u201d<\/p>\n >> Read:\u00a0EU divisions pave way for new\u00a0GMO\u00a0grain approval<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n GM crops are widely grown in the Americas and parts of Asia, but the European Union has only ever approved two other GM crops for commercial cultivation, a maize type and a potato, which was later blocked by a court<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, in Europe, consumer opposition is strong and environmentalists cite scientific research that has highlighted the impact of a toxin released by 1507 on butterflies and moths.<\/p>\n\n