Mepanipyrim: non-renewal of EU approval
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it does not intend to renew approval of the active substance mepanipyrim (G/SPS/N/EU/705). This is due to concerns about long-term risks for wild mammals, and the substance’s endocrine disrupting properties for humans and mammals. This will oblige EU Member States to ban the use of products containing mepanipyrim. The non-renewal is expected to lead to a reduction in mepanipyrim maximum residue levels (MRLs) to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on all products in 2025. This decision could have an impact on exports of certain fruit and vegetable products.
EU proposes not to renew approval of the active substance mepanipyrim
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance mepanipyrim, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it does not intend to renew approval of the active substance mepanipyrim (G/SPS/N/EU/705). This is due to concerns about long-term risks for wild mammals, and the substance’s endocrine disrupting properties for humans and mammals. This will oblige EU Member States to ban the use of products containing mepanipyrim. The non-renewal is expected to lead to a reduction in mepanipyrim maximum residue levels (MRLs) to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on all products in 2025. This decision could have an impact on exports of certain fruit and vegetable products.
Impacted Products
Grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspeberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, courgettes
What is changing?
The European Commission proposes not to renew its approval for the active substance mepanipyrim. EU farmers will therefore no longer be able to use products containing this active substance.
Why?
Following an application for the renewal of approval of mepanipyrim in 2017 and a first evaluation in that year by the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission requested EFSA to reassess information on the endocrine disrupting properties of this active substance. EFSA (2023) identified long-term risks for wild mammals, and concerns regarding the substance’s endocrine disrupting properties for humans and mammals. The necessary approval criteria were not satisfied and renewal was not granted.
Timeline
Expected date of entry into force: second quarter of 2024.
EU producers will be permitted to use stocks of products containing mepanipyrim until approximately the second quarter of 2025.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Following the non-renewal or withdrawal of approvals for pesticide active substances, the EU starts the process of lowering or removing the MRLs. These are typically set at 0.01 mg/kg or the limit of analytical determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). In most circumstances this means that they can no longer be used on crops for export to the EU. Exporting countries should start to look for alternative solutions to mepanipyrim or consider a request for EU import tolerances.
Recommended Actions
As the EU MRLs for mepanipyrim are likely to be reduced, suppliers of certain fruits and vegetables (grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and courgettes) currently using mepanipyrim on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Feedback on this proposal to the WTO closed on 16 February 2024.
Background
For further information on recent non-renewals and withdrawal of substances, see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals and restrictions.
Resources
EFSA (2023) Updated peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance mepanipyrim. EFSA Journal, 21(8): 8196.
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance mepanipyrim, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011
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EU proposes not to renew approval of the active substance mepanipyrim
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance mepanipyrim
What is changing and why?
Due to concerns about the endocrine disrupting properties of the active substance mepanipyrim, the EU proposes not to renew the approval to use this substance in the EU.
Actions
As the EU MRLs for mepanipyrim are likely to be reduced, suppliers of certain fruits and vegetables (grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and courgettes) currently using mepanipyrim on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.
Feedback on this proposal to the World Trade Organization closed on 16 February 2024.
Timeline
This Regulation is expected to enter into force in the second quarter of 2024.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.