Mepanipyrim: non-renewal of EU approval
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EU proposes not to renew approval of the active substance mepanipyrim – opportunity to give feedback to WTO SPS consultation
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.
Comments or concerns about potential impacts can be submitted via the National SPS notification authority of the country concerned to the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 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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