Maximum residue levels for thiophanate-methyl
Published by AGRINFO on ; Revised
EU proposes to reduce MRLs for thiophanate-methyl on all products except limes and okra
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 benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate‐methyl in or on certain products
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to set the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for thiophanate-methyl to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). This could have an impact on suppliers of a wide range of products, including fruit, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, cereals, teas, spices, and sugar. There are exceptions for limes and okra because the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers that amended MRLs based on good agricultural practices (GAP) in non-EU countries are safe (G/SPS/N/EU/696).
Impacted Products
Citrus fruits, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, mandarins, limes, tree nuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/ cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, pome fruits, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats/ Japanese medlars, stone fruits, apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, tables grapes, wine grapes, strawberries, blackberries, dewberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, rose hips, mulberries, azaroles, elderberries, mangoes, papayas, garlic, onions, shallots, tomatoes, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, aubergines/ eggplants, okra, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, sweet corn, melons, watermelons, pumpkin, brassica vegetables, broccoli, cauliflowers, head cabbages, Chinese cabbages, kales, Brussels sprouts, peas, beans, lentils, oilseeds, linseeds, peanuts/ groundnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds/ canola seeds, mustard seeds, cotton seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, borage seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, soyabeans, barley, oat, rye, wheat, commodities from swine, bovine, sheep, goat, equine, poultry and other farmed terrestrial mammals, milk (cattle, sheep, goat, horse), bird eggs, honey, amphibians and reptiles, stem vegetables, fungi, mosses and lichens, pulses, oil fruits, teas, coffees, herbal infusions, cocoa, carobs, hops, spices, sugar plants
What is changing?
The EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for thiophanate-methyl as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
Thiophanate-methyl is no longer authorised in the EU because the manufacturer withdrew its new application for approval. Therefore MRLs should be set to the LOD, except on certain products that are considered safe.
EFSA (2021) suggests increasing the MRLs for thiophanate-methyl on limes, aligning with safe agricultural practices observed in certain non-EU countries. EFSA also recommends establishing a lower MRL deemed safe for thiophanate-methyl on okra/ lady’s fingers, also derived from the GAP in non-EU countries.
Timeline
Expected date of publication: July 2024.
The new MRLs are expected to apply from early 2025.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of affected products should review their current use of thiophanate-methyl 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) Reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the benzimidazole substances carbendazim and thiophanate‐methyl. EFSA Journal, 19(8): 6773.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate‐methyl in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
Source: based on PLAN/2022/2853