Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified cotton T304-40

Through this objection under Rule 115(2) and (3), adopted on 11 February 2026, Parliament opposes the draft Commission implementing decision renewing the authorisation for placing on the market products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton T304-40 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. It notes that BASF SE applied in March 2024 for renewal, that EFSA issued a favourable opinion, but that neither the Standing Committee nor the Appeal Committee delivered an opinion, and it objects that EFSA's assessment did not include long-term toxicological studies or analysis of cumulative and combinatorial effects and did not address broader environmental and socio-economic impacts. The text states that the GM cotton is engineered for resistance to certain lepidopteran pests and tolerance to glufosinate, a herbicide classified as toxic to reproduction 1B whose Union approval expired in 2018, and argues that herbicide-tolerant crops drive up complementary herbicide use through the 'herbicide treadmill'. Invoking the precautionary principle, it holds that renewal would be inconsistent with international commitments on pesticide reduction and would allow imports not meeting the standards observed by Union farmers, and it implies the Commission should not authorise the product.