Maximum residue levels for benthiavalicarb
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to reduce the maximum residule levels (MRLs) for benthiavalicarb on grapes and tomatoes to the limit of determination (LOD) (G/SPS/N/EU/843). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) For all other foods, MRLs are already set at the LOD, but some of these will also be lowered to reflect improvements in analytical methods.
EU proposes to set benthivalicarb MRLs to LOD for all products, with impacts on grapes and tomatoes
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen in or on certain products
Draft Annex (PLAN-2024-1306 rev3)
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to reduce the maximum residule levels (MRLs) for benthiavalicarb on grapes and tomatoes to the limit of determination (LOD) (G/SPS/N/EU/843). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) For all other foods, MRLs are already set at the LOD, but some of these will also be lowered to reflect improvements in analytical methods.
Impacted Products
All products, grapes, tomatoes
What is changing?
The European Commission proposes to set the MRLs for benthiavalicarb to the LOD for all products. This will lower the MRLs on grapes and tomatoes from 0.3 to 0.01 mg/kg. For all other foods, the current MRLs are already set at the LOD. However, it is proposed to lower the LODs on tree nuts, potatoes, algae, oilseeds, oil fruits, and cereals from 0.02 to 0.01 mg/kg.
Why?
Benthiavalicarb is no longer approved for use in the EU (see Benthiavalicarb: approval not renewed by EU). The EU therefore proposes to set all benthiavalicarb MRLs at the product-specific LODs. The LODs are the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods, and are updated by the European Commission to reflect the latest analytical methods on the advice of the EU Reference Laboratories for Residues of Pesticides.
Timeline
The new MRLs will apply from approximately May 2026 – the precise date will be known once the Regulation is published.
Recommended Actions
Competent authorities of non-EU countries that are WTO members may comment on the EU proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 24 May 2025 (G/SPS/N/EU/843).
Suppliers to the EU market of table and wine grapes and tomatoes must find alternative solutions to benthiavalicarb for use on these products by May 2026.
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.
Sources
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EU proposes to set benthivalicarb MRLs to LOD for all products, with impacts on grapes and tomatoes
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen in or on certain products
Draft Annex (PLAN-2024-1306 rev3)
What is changing and why?
The active substance benthiavalicarb is no longer approved in the EU (see Benthiavalicarb: approval not renewed by EU). The EU proposes to lower the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for this substance on grapes and tomatoes from 0.3 to 0.01 mg/kg. For other foods, the MRLs are already set at the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods), but the LODs on tree nuts, potatoes, algae, oilseeds, oil fruits, and cereals will also be lowered to reflect the development of more sensitive analytical methods.
Actions
Competent authorities of non-EU countries that are members of the World Trade Organization may comment on the EU proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 24 May 2025 (G/SPS/N/EU/843).
Suppliers to the EU market of table and wine grapes and tomatoes must find alternative solutions to benthiavalicarb for use on these products by May 2026.
Timeline
The new MRLs will apply from approximately May 2026 – the precise date will be known once the Regulation is published.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.