Maximum residue levels for bifenthrin

Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for bifenthrin, bromopropylate, chloridazon, fenpropimorph, imazaquin and tralkoxydim in or on certain products

Update

The European Commission proposed to adopt an import tolerance MRL for bifenthrin on maize/corn, and to reduce the MRL on strawberries in a proposal initially notified to the WTO SPS Committee (G/SPS/N/EU/527). However, following further evaluation by EFSA evaluation, the proposal will be reviewed and renotified to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.

Impacted Products

strawberries, maize, corn

What is changing?

The Commission initially proposed the changes to bifenthrin MRLs as set out in Table 1. This proposal will now be reviewed and further reductions in MRLs for other products are expected to be proposed.

Why?

Bifenthrin is no longer permitted for use in the EU. The existing MRLs for bifenthrin have been withdrawn, except for products with MRLs based on import tolerances or on Codex maximum residue limits (CXLs) that are safe for consumers.

Following a request by the United States for an import tolerance, and the determination of its safety for consumers by EFSA (2020), the MRL for bifenthrin in maize grain and sweetcorn is set at 0.05 mg/kg.

Because the existing CXL for bifenthrin on strawberries gives rise to consumer health concerns, the MRL is set to the LOD.

A further evaluation of bifenthrin MRLs was undertaken by EFSA (2022) that identified the need to reduce MRLs in a range of products.

Timeline

A new proposal on bifenthrin MRLs is expected in 2023. This will be notified to the WTO SPS Committee.

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.