EU MRL changes

This news provides updates on recent changes to EU maximum residue limits (MRLs) for plant protection products (PPPs).



Where an MRL has been lowered, it is important for growers using the PPP to make any necessary adjustments in good time to ensure continued compliance with EU regulations. This may mean adapting production practices (good agricultural practices, GAP) or using alternative control methods.



This news also includes a complete list of the MRL changes introduced so far in 2020.



If you require additional information, or face particular problems as a result of these changes, please contact COLEACP at:

Lowering of MRLs for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl

As announced in a FlashInfo on 11 August 2020, the new MRLs for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl will come into force on 13 November 2020 (Regulation (EC) 2020/1085 and Corrigendum); this means, in effect, that they can no longer be used after this date.



Operators in ACP countries that use these PPPs must take note of the change, and ensure that they find alternative control methods in good time. If you require further information, please contact COLEACP at: network@coleacp.org.

New MRL changes

On 28 October 2020, the EC published two new regulations setting new MRLs:

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1565 as regards maximum residue levels for 1,4‐diaminobutane, 1-methylcyclopropene, ammonium acetate, bifenazate, chlorantraniliprole, chlormequat, cyprodinil, limestone, mandipropamid, pepper, pyridaben, repellants: blood meal, seaweed extracts and trimethylamine hydrochloride in or on certain products (entry into force on May 17, 2021)
• Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1566 as regards maximum residue levels for bupirimate, carfentrazone-ethyl, ethirimol, and pyriofenone in or on certain products (entry into force on November 18, 2020)

MRL changes affecting key horticultural export crops in ACP countries are presented in Table 1. To see details on all changes, please consult the full text of the regulations using the links provided above.



Table 1 EU MRL changes affecting key export crops in ACP countries

(*) limit of determination



Legend :

EFSA decisions on Bacillus thuringiensis

After review of the pesticide risk assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has decided not to include three strains in Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. aizawai strain ABTS-1857, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain SA‐11, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strain SA‐12). This means that MRLs will need to be set for these Bacillus strains. The review process and date of publication of the new MRLs are not yet known. COLEACP will keep you informed as soon as more details become available.

All MRL changes introduced to date in 2020

Table 2 presents a review of EU MRL changes since the beginning of 2020. If you require additional information, or face particular problems as a result of these changes, please contact COLEACP at: network@coleacp.org



Table 2 EU MRL changes since the beginning of 2020