Maximum residue levels for thiabendazole
Published by AGRINFO on ; Revised
EU proposes changes to MRLs for thiabendazole on avocados and papayas
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/377 of 15 February 2023 amending Annexes II, III, IV and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for benzalkonium chloride (BAC), chlorpropham, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), flutriafol, metazachlor, nicotine, profenofos, quizalofop-P, sodium aluminium silicate, thiabendazole and triadimenol in or on certain products
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for thiabendazole on avocados and papayas (G/SPS/N/EU/697). This follows reductions to the MRLs for this substance on mangoes and animal products, that have applied since September 2023.
Impacted Products
mangoes, milk, eggs, animal products, avocados, papayas
What is changing?
The proposed reductions to thiabendazole MRLs on avocados and papayas are set out in Table 1.
The reductions to thiabendazole MRLs that apply since September 2023 are shown in Table 2.
In addition, the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods) for all muscle and fat products from swine/ sheep/ equine/ other farmed terrestrial animals, except bovine and goat, are reduced to 0.01 mg/kg.
Why?
EFSA (2022) has concluded that to ensure consumer safety, the MRL for avocados should be reduced. EFSA also identified a potential risk for consumers regarding the existing MRL for papayas, and stated that this MRL should be lowered to the LOD.
Timeline
The proposed changes to MRLs on avocados and papayas are expected to apply from early 2025.
The MRLs for thiabendazole set out in Table 2 (Regulation 2023/377) apply from 14 September 2023.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of avocados and papayas should review their use of thiabendazole and assess whether any changes will be needed to existing good agricultural practices (GAP).
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the WTO can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 22 January 2024.
Background
MRLs are set in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation 396/2005. For information on current MRLs for other substances, please consult the EU Pesticide Residues database.
Resources
EFSA (2021) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels and setting of import tolerances for thiabendazole in various crops. EFSA Journal, 19(5): 6586.
EFSA (2022) Evaluation of confirmatory data following the Article 12 MRL review for thiabendazole. EFSA Journal, 20(8): 7539.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/377
Tables & Figures
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