Question for written answer E-003852/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE), Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL), Günther Sidl (S&D), Sirpa Pietikäinen (PPE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), Pär Holmgren (Verts/ALE), Claude Gruffat (Verts/ALE), Bronis Ropė (Verts/ALE), Caroline Roose (Verts/ALE), Sarah Wiener (Verts/ALE), Benoît Biteau (Verts/ALE), Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE) Subject: Mandate on US trade negotiations and GMO risk assessment In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the fundamental difference between the approaches adopted by the EU (precautionary principle) and the US (liability of producers) concerning environmental and health risks has a direct and sometimes devastating impact on human wellbeing and environmental integrity. We are therefore concerned about the possible watering down of the precautionary principle if the approval process for genetically engineered organisms imported into the EU is speeded up as part of a trade agreement with the United States. Even today, the risk assessment of GMOs in the EU does not cover all possible effects, especially on a long-term timeframe. A further weakening of the procedure would pose unacceptable risks to the health of EU citizens and our environment. The European Parliament has therefore a right to know: 1. On the basis of which mandate are EU-US trade negotiations being carried out? 2. Is it true that the easier import of genetically engineered organisms forms part of these negotiations? 3. The Commission has stated that the EU and US are engaged in regular dialogues on biotechnology policies with a view to exchanging information and fostering cooperation. Could it specify what meetings it has already had or will have in this regard, the format of these meetings and their content? PE654.617v01-00.