Review of EU and GB MRL changes in 2022
- 22/05/2023
- Posted by: Gaetan Dermien
- Category: Corp EN, Country, News
| Key points This news update is a review of changes that were made in 2022.European Union (EU) maximum residue levels (MRLs) were changed for 75 plant protection products (PPPs) in 2022, compared with 123 in 2021. These changes include cases where MRLs for certain foods have been raised or lowered.In Great Britain (GB) maximum residue level (MRL) changes concerned 23 plant protection products (PPPs), of which 13 are considered key for ACP horticulture. Note that EU MRLs still apply in Northern Ireland (GB covers only England, Scotland and Wales).How will ACP producers/exporters be affected? In export crops, meeting the MRLs of the destination market is critical to prevent interception and destruction of merchandise at the border. ACP growers and exporters need to remain up-to-date with regulatory changes to ensure they remain aligned.What should ACP producers/exporters do now? For each substance and crop concerned, the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in place need to be verified and possibly adapted to ensure compliance with new MRLs. The GAPs include dose rate, number of applications, and pre-harvest interval. In some cases, adaptations to the GAPs will allow the new MRLs to be met. However, in many cases, especially where the level is reduced to the Limit of Determination (LoD), it may not be possible to meet the new MRL, and growers will have to look for alternative crop protection solutions. If you have any major concerns about these changes, and fear that you will be left without an effective and locally available alternative, please contact COLEAD at: network@colead.link. If you require more frequent updates on EU MRL changes, we invite you to visit our AGRINFO website and subscribe to the bi-monthly newsletter on EU regulations. |
In this news, ‘key active substances’ refers to those used/registered in one or more African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) country on horticultural crops that are frequently exported regionally or internationally. While COLEAD makes every effort to provide comprehensive information about relevant regulatory changes, it is possible that some plant protection products (PPPs) or crops relevant to you are not included in our list of key substances/crops. We recommend therefore that you check tables 2, 3, 5 and 6 which detail all the changes in the EU and GB in 2022, to make sure that you are aware of any other changes that could affect you.
Change to EU MRLs important for ACP horticulture
In 2022, maximum residue levels (MRLs) have been changed for 75 PPPs, including 28 used/registered in one or more ACP countries. Changes affecting ACP horticulture (39 crops) were identified, in particular involving the following 12 key substances:
- hexythiazox (applicable from 09 August 2022)
- acrinathrin (applicable from 14 February 2022)
- fosetyl-aluminium (applicable from 14 February 2022)
- spinetoram (applicable from 14 February 2022)
- spirotetramat (applicable from 14 February 2022)
- azoxystrobin (applicable from 14 April 2022)
- emamectin benzoate (applicable from 14 April 2022 and 22 February 2023)
- thiabendazole (applicable from 18 August 2022)
- chlorantraniliprole (applicable from 22 February 2023)
- methoxyfenozide (applicable from 28 February 2023)
- propoxur (applicable from 28 February 2023)
- thiram (applicable from 28 February 2023)
As some of your PPPs or crops are not included in our summary of key substances/crops, we recommend that you check all EU MRL changes introduced in 2022 (see Tables 2-6 below).
If you require additional information, or face particular problems as a result of these changes, please contact COLEAD at: network@colead.link.
EU MRL changes introduced in 2022
Table 2 shows all MRL changes introduced in the EU in 2022. For some of these, the application date was in 2023. If you see any PPP that you use on crops for export to the EU, we recommend that you check the regulation itself using the link provided.
EU MRL changes introduced in 2021 and entered into application in 2022
Table 3 lists MRL changes introduced in 2021 for which the date into application was in 2022.
Changes to GB MRLs important for ACP horticulture
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published decisions concerning changes to 23 PPP MRLs in 2022, including 13 used/registered in one or more ACP countries. Changes particularly affecting ACP horticulture (28 crops) are identified, involving 6 key substances. Table 4 shows the MRL changes for these 6 substances, focusing on crops important to ACP horticulture.
It is possible that some of your PPPs or crops are not included in our summary of key substances/crops. Please see the summary of all GB MRL changes introduced in 2022 in Tables 5 and 6.
GB MRL changes introduced in 2022
Table 5 shows all MRL changes in the GB in 2022. For some of them, the date into application was in 2023. If you see any PPP that you use on crops for export to the GB, we recommend that you check the Regulation using the link provided.
GB MRL changes introduced in 2021 and entered into application in 2022
Table 6 lists MRL changes introduced in 2021 for which the date into application was in 2022.
This publication has been developped by the Fit For Market Plus programme, implemented by COLEAD within the framework of Development cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and the European Union (EU).
This publication has been produced with the financial support of the EU and the OACPS. Its contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU or the OACPS.
