Maximum residue levels for pyriproxyfen
Published by AGRINFO on ; Revised
EU amends MRLs for pyriproxyfen for certain fruit and vegetables
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/679 of 23 March 2023 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for pyridaben, pyridate, pyriproxyfen and triclopyr in or on certain products.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1753 of 11 September 2023 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for pyriproxyfen in or on certain products.
Update
On 24 March 2023 the EU increased the maximum residue level (MRL) for pyriproxyfen on apricots to 0.4 mg/kg.
On 1 September 2023 the EU set the MRLs for pyriproxyfen to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products, except where current good agricultural practices (GAP) and Codex maximum residue limits (CXLs) were concluded to be safe for consumers. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
These changes have implications for exports of pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, Japanese medlars, cranberries, apples, cranberries, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, okra, cucumbers, and gherkins.
In addition, where possible, existing MRLs already set at the LOD have been lowered from 0.05 mg/kg to 0.01 or 0.02 mg/kg.
Impacted Products
apricots, cherries, grapefruits, kumquats, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, Japanese medlars, cranberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, bell peppers, aubergines, eggplants, okra, lady’s fingers, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, watermelons
What is changing?
The EU has amended the MRLs for pyriproxyfen as summarised in Table 1.
In addition, MRLs set at the LOD of 0.05 mg/kg are lowered where possible to:
- 0.02 mg/kg for mangoes, herbs, and edible flowers
- 0.01 mg/kg for all other products (except herbal infusions, coffee beans, and cocoa beans which remain at 0.05 mg/kg).
Why?
EFSA (2022a) reviewed current MRLs for pyriproxyfen, taking into account MRLs that have been set by Codex Alimentarius and that are confirmed as safe for consumers.
Following a request to modify the MRL for pyriproxyfen, and the determination of safe levels for consumers by EFSA (2022b), the EU has accepted the proposed new MRL for apricots.
Timeline
The MRL adopted for pyriproxyfen on apricots applies from 13 April 2023.
The other amended MRLs apply from 2 April 2024.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of apples, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, and gherkins must review existing use of pyriproxyfen to ensure conformity of their products with the new reduced pyriproxyfen MRLs by April 2024.
Suppliers to the EU market of pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, Japanese medlars, cranberries, and okra must ensure that alternative solutions are found to existing uses of pyriproxyfen on these products by April 2024.
Products exported before 2 April 2024 that comply with the old MRLs will not be removed from the EU market after 2 April, even if not compliant with new MRLs.
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 (2022a) Review of the existing maximum residue levels for pyriproxyfen according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. EFSA Journal, 20(11): 7617.
EFSA (2022b) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for pyriproxyfen in apricots and peaches. EFSA Journal, 20(9): 7567.
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/679
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation (EU) 2023/1753