Extended approval period for pyridalyl withdrawn

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/932 of 8 May 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the approval period of the active substance pyridalyl

Update

The European Commission has withdrawn its extension of the approval period for the active substance pyridalyl. No application has been made to renew its approval.

The approval period for pyridalyl will therefore expire on 30 June 2024. From that date, pyridalyl can no longer be used in EU Member States. Countries using pyridalyl on crops for export to the EU should note that a reduction in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg is expected after June 2024.

What is changing?

The Commission has withdrawn the extended approval period previously granted for pyridalyl. The expiry date will change back from 30 June 2025 to 30 June 2024.

Why?

The approval period for pyridalyl was previously extended from 30 June 2024 until 30 June 2025 to allow a review of the substance to be completed before its planned expiry date. However, as no application for renewal has been submitted, no review will take place and the extension period has been withdrawn.

Timeline

This Regulation will enter into force on 30 May 2023. No use of pyridalyl will be permitted after 30 June 2024.

Another Regulation to replace the existing MRLs with default MRLs of 0.01–0.05 mg/kg for pyridalyl is expected in late 2024 or early 2025.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

This decision mainly affects EU producers in the first instance. However, it is likely to be followed by legislation to reduce the MRL for pyridalyl to 0.01 mg/kg, the limit of determination (LOD – the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods), which will affect its use on crops for export to the EU.

Recommended Actions

As the EU MRL is likely to be reduced to the LOD, suppliers of agri-food products currently using pyridalyl on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.

Import tolerance MRLs for specific products can be requested, although the process is complex and requires considerable data (see Pesticide residue import tolerance MRLs explained).

Background

Pyridalyl is an insecticide active against a range of insects (e.g. thrips, caterpillars, armyworms).

This Regulation updates the list of active substances approved for use in the EU (Regulation 540/2011). This list can be consulted via the EU database of active substances, safeners and synergists. For further information on other recent withdrawals, see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals and restrictions.

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