We want to get rid of conflict of interests in the EU agencies!

As the debate over independence and conflicts of interest in scientific assessments continues to heat up, Members of the EU Parliament’s Environment committee organised an exchange of views this morning with the Court of Auditors and the European agencies on Medicines, Chemicals and Food (EMA, ECHA, and EFSA respectively). The aim of the meeting was to undertake a comprehensive analysis of these agencies’ approach in dealing with potential conflicts of interest. Greens/EFA MEPs called for more stringent measures to avoid any corporate bias in the agencies’ evaluations and conclusions.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 12-15 June 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: Tax justice: Country by country reporting; Glyphosate renewal; Energy efficiency labelling; 2016 report on Kosovo; Effort sharing regulation and President Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement; Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement; Panama Papers follow-up and the rule of law in Malta; Preparation of the European Council of 22 and 23 June 2017.

New GMOs

Not as precise as advertised... and still useless

More precise, less risky, more efficient, less costly: that is how their promoters have been selling the idea of deregulating new biotechnologies to the legislators, both at EU and national level.

Greens/EFA go to court over lack of transparency on glyphosate

It was over a year ago when our MEPs Bart Staes, Benedek Jávor, Heidi Hautala and Michèle Rivasi first sent the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) an official access to documents request, trying to access the studies on which EFSA based its assessment that glyphosate is not carcinogenic.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 15-18 May 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: food waste; Commission statement: harnessing globalisation by 2025; ECJ ruling on competences of EU vs Member States in FTAs; Council and Commission statements - Making relocation happen; Vote on GMO objections; Situation in Hungary; Money laundering; Conclusions of the European Council meeting; Cross-border portability.

GMOs again fail to secure Member State support

GMOs rejected in appeal committee

"We will continue to make the case that we can feed ourselves and our farm animals without resorting to dangerous and unnecessary GM crops" says Green MEP Bart Staes.

Let's stop Baysanto

It’s time to stop the marriage of Monsanto-Bayer! The Monsanto tribunal proved it: Monsanto violates human rights and threatens our planet. But the worst might be to come: German drug and chemical company Bayer announced last year that it plans to buy Monsanto

Monsanto is the hideous tree that hides the forest

How Bayer buying Monsanto is more than just another merger

The acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer threatens to undermine current safeguards, and this is why we strongly oppose the potential deal.

Monsanto Tribunal shows need for global legal jurisdiction on environmental crime

Opinion of Monstanto Tribunal

"For far too long, Monsanto has been able to act with impunity, causing massive destruction to our environment and severely damaging the lives of many people around the world" says Greens/EFA MEP Bart Staes.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 3-6 April 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: Palm oil and deforestation of rainforests; One year anniversary of the Panama Papers; Dieselgate: inquiry report and type approval legislation; EU-Syria strategy; Brexit: Article 50 resolution; Money Market Funds; MFF revision; GMO objection; Roaming charges.

GM maize for cultivation

The Commission must accept the appeal committee’s vote and refuse new authorizations

With a clear majority of Member States voting against the cultivation of three GM maize varieties within the EU on Monday 27 March, it should now be clear to the European Commission that it is time to withdraw its proposals. But is the Commission paying attention?

GMOs fail to secure support of Member States

GMO maize appeal vote

The European Commission should withdraw its proposals, and focus its energy on developing a safer and more sustainable agriculture, says Bart Staes.