Maximum residue levels for metalaxyl
Published by AGRINFO on ; Revised
EU amends MRLs for metalaxyl, with impacts on lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 of 21 May 2024 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
Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 of 21 May 2024 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
Update
The European Commission has decided to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for metalaxyl, with possible impacts on lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans.
Impacted Products
Lemons, limes, mandarins, apples, pears, table grapes, wine grapes, onions, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, melons, watermelons, globe artichokes, soyabeans, oil palm fruits, cocoa beans, peppercorns, kidney and edible offals from swine, bovine and equine liver, bovine and equine kidney and edible offals, kidney and edible offals from sheep, goat and other farmed animals
What is changing?
The MRLs for metalaxyl for lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans are reduced to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). The EU also proposes to amend the MRLs for metalaxyl on other products as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2021) assessed metalaxyl MRLs for various products based on available information. For products where complete information was provided, EFSA recommended maintaining the MRL, or adjusting it slightly to ensure safety for consumers.
For products where data gaps were not addressed, and for products with identified risks, EFSA suggested setting lower alternative MRLs, or replacing those MRLs with the product-specific LOD.
For grapes, onions, potatoes, and peppercorns, Codex MRLs (CXLs) were considered safe by EFSA (2022) and can therefore be adopted.
EFSA (2023) recommended new, higher MRLs for specific products to avoid trade barriers for oil palm fruits from Colombia and peppercorns from Vietnam, based on data submitted by the applicants (manufacturers).
Timeline
The new MRLs will apply from 11 December 2024. Products exported before 11 December 2024 that comply with the old MRLs will not be removed from the EU market after that date, even if they do not comply with the new MRLs.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of products affected, in particular suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans, should review their current use of metalaxyl and look for possible alternative solutions in anticipation of these MRL changes.
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) Evaluation of confirmatory data following the Article 12 MRL review for metalaxyl‐M. EFSA Journal 19(12): 6996.
EFSA (2022) Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 53rd session of the codex committee on pesticide residues (CCPR). EFSA Journal 20(9): 7521.
EFSA (2023) Setting of import tolerances for metalaxyl‐M in oil palms fruits and peppercorn. EFSA Journal 21(5): 8008.
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation 2024/1342