Maximum residue levels for quinmerac

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1321 of 25 July 2022 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 fluoride ion, oxyfluorfen, pyroxsulam, quinmerac and sulfuryl fluoride in or on certain products

Update

Commission Regulation 2022/1321, published on 25 July, removes existing MRLs for spinaches, chards/ beet leaves, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel leaves, bay leaves, tarragon, and sugar beet roots from February 2023.

Impacted Products

spinaches, chards, beet leaves, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel leaves, bay leaves, tarragon, sugar beet roots

What is changing?

The changes to MRLs are summarised in Table 1.

In addition, the limit of determination (LOD) is increased to 0.15 mg/kg for tree nuts, table olives, avocados, beetroots, oil seeds and oil fruits; and reduced to 0.02 mg/kg for products of animal origin not listed in Table 1.

Why?

EFSA (2020) reviewed existing quinmerac MRLs taking into account authorised uses in the EU. The Commission has lowered the MRL for sugar beet roots on the advice of EFSA. MRLs for leaf vegetables are reduced to the LOD in the absence of authorised use in the EU.

Timeline

New MRLs will apply from 21 February 2023. Where products are exported in compliance with the old MRLs before 21 February 2023, these products may stay on the market after this date, even where not compliant with new MRLs.

Recommended Actions

Exporters of spinaches, chards/ beet leaves, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel/ bay leaves, tarragon and sugar beet roots should evaluate the use of quinmerac on these products and seek alternative solutions.

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

Sources

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