19 different member states opposed the authorisation of GM maize 1507 on February 11 in the EU General Affairs Council. EU health and consumer policy commissioner Tonio Borg indicated that the European Commission would proceed with the plan nonetheless. The Green Group in the parliament believes that if this occurs, the European Parliament should formally condemn the Commission.

According to Green Group co-president Dany Cohn-Bendit, 

“Pushing ahead with the authorisation of this GM maize variety, against the background of clear opposition in the Council and the European Parliament, would demonstrate a disdain for the democratic process by the European Commission. This is not to mention the consistent and determined public opposition to GMOs in Europe. This issue is a test of European democracy and, if the Commission doggedly pursues the authorisation of GM maize 1507 in spite of this democratic opposition, we will launch a motion of censure in the European Parliament."

Co-president Rebecca Harms agrees.

"There is unprecedented democratic and public opposition to the authorisation of this GM variety. The clear opposition in Council, with a record 19 governments of member states representing a majority of the EU population opposed and four abstaining, comes just weeks after the European Parliament adopted a resolution with a two-thirds majority against the authorisation. Against this background, it would be cynical of the Commission to proceed and authorise GM maize 1507. We are calling on the Commission to recognise this and withdraw its proposal or else face a motion of censure."

To see why the Greens want a GMO-free Europe, check out the fantastic video here.