Apr. 16, 2008
The European Commission has extended the list of low-risk naturally occurring pesticide active ingredients that will be exempt from new EU maximum residue limits (MRLs). A total of 44 substances, including fatty acids, plant extracts and minerals, has been temporarily added to Annex IV of the EU pesticide MRL Regulation (396/2005). The listing is dependent on each ai successfully completing its re-registration evaluation under the EU review of existing ais.
The Commission's move follows criticism from EU member states about delays in compiling Annex IV before the new MRL rules come into force on September 1st. Any ai not listed in any of the Regulation's Annexes by that date will be subject to the default MRL value of 0.01 mg/kg. By March, Annex IV contained only eight ais that had been reviewed under the EU agrochemical registration Directive (91/414). However, the fourth round of the EU review, which covers many low-risk pesticides, will not be completed by September. This prompted Irish and UK officials to warn of a "scientifically untenable" position where approved low-risk ais would become subject to the lowest MRL.
The updated Annex IV is available on the Commission's Health and Consumer Safety Directorate-General website at: http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/protection/pesticides/index_en.htm.
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