Maximum residue levels for calcium phosphide

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 calcium phosphide, cyromazine, topramezone and triflumizole in or on certain products

Update

In 2022, the European Commission initiated discussions on MRLs for calcium phosphide on all products at the limit of determination (LOD). However, as calcium phosphide shares a metabolite also found in other approved active substances, the Commission withdrew the Regulation under discussion at that time and proposed to present a new draft.

What is changing?

In 2022, the European Commission proposed to establish a default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg for calcium phosphide for all products. Specific limits had not previously set for calcium phosphide, as it fell within the definition of phosphane and phosphide salts.

However, following discussions with EU Member States (Commission, 2022), it was decided to the Regulation under discussion at that time and propose a new draft. This decision was taken as calcium phosphide shares a metabolite also found in other approved active substances.

Why?

The approval of the use of calcium phosphide in the EU expired on 1 December 2020 and applications for its renewal were withdrawn.

Timeline

There is currently not timeline for the development of a new draft Regulation.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

In the view of EFSA (2015), calcium phosphide is “used [as a rodenticide] for fumigating underground tunnels and burrows in cropland and non-cropland situations. Although residues may be adsorbed onto soil, a significant uptake of residues by plants is not expected”. The implications for AGRINFO stakeholders are expected to be limited.

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

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