Oxamyl: Non-renewal of EU approval

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/741 of 5 April 2023 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance oxamyl, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011540/2011

Update

The European Commission has published its decision not to renew approval of the active substance oxamyl. This is due to concerns about its risks to both agricultural workers and consumers.

Oxamyl can no longer be used in EU Member States. Countries using oxamyl on crops for export to the EU should note that a reduction in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg is expected in 2024.

What is changing?

The Commission has decided not to renew approval for the active substance oxamyl. Farmers in Europe will no longer be able to use pesticides containing this active substance.

Why?

Corteva Agriscience applied for renewal of the current authorisation of oxamyl, due to expire on 31 October 2023.

EFSA (2022) reported several concerns associated with the substance. In particular, it identified a high risk for operators even when using personal protective equipment.

It also found high risks of consumers exceeding acceptable levels through food and drinking water. The Commission has therefore decided not to renew the approval of oxamyl.

Timeline

This Regulation will enter into force on 1 May 2023.

EU producers may be permitted by EU Member States to use stocks of products containing oxamyl until 1 November 2023.

A reduction in oxamyl MRLs is expected for 2024.

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 oxamyl or consider a request for EU import tolerances.

Recommended Actions

As the EU MRL is likely to be reduced to the LOD, suppliers of agri-food products currently using oxamyl on crops for export to the EU should review their current good agricultural practices (GAP) and start to look for alternative solutions.

In anticipation of reductions to MRLs resulting from the withdrawal or non-renewal of substances, any interested party can request import tolerances from an EU Member State competent authority. Guidelines are available on the requirements and process for establishing MRLs, including import tolerances (European Commission 2021).

Background

Oxamyl is a soil-applied nematicide and insecticide used to control chewing and sucking insects (aphids, ticks, spider mites). It is highly soluble in water and may contaminate groundwater.

This Regulation updates the list of active substances approved for use in the EU, established by Regulation 540/2011. This list can be consulted via the EU database of active substances, safeners and synergists. For further information on other recent withdrawals, see Latest pesticide non-renewals, withdrawals and restrictions.

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