MRLs reduced for two pesticides widely used on fruits and vegetables (oxamyl and indoxacarb)

There are upcoming reductions to maximum residue levels (MRLs) for two pesticides widely used on fruit and vegetables. Although the official regulations outlining these MRL changes have not yet been published, their final drafts have already received approval through a positive vote during the Standing Committee of 18 - 19 September 2023. Consequently, the publication of these revised regulations is expected to follow in the near future.

Oxamyl

Oxamyl is an insecticide used mainly on vegetables. Following the non-renewal of the approval of oxamyl in the European Union (EU) due to concerns on risks for the consumers, the EU is reducing its MRLs on all products to levels of determination (LOD) of between 0.001 and 0.005 mg/kg. These values are lower than the standard default LOD of 0.01 mg/kg to provide the increased levels of consumer protection considered necessary by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Links to the draft regulation and annexes concerning indoxacarb MRLs changes for oxamyl can be found on the standing committee page on oxamyl.

The new MRLs will apply from approximately March 2024 – the precise date will be known once the Regulation is published.

These changes may particularly affect exports of aubergine, melon and watermelon which currently have MRLs above the LOD. Other important horticultural products from ACP countries for which new MRLs could have an impact are summarized in . Considering the wide range of applications and the very short grace period, users of oxamyl are advised to start looking for alternatives as soon as possible. Should you encountered specific issues regarding this matter, please contact COLEAD at: network@colead.link.

The lower MRLs will also have implications for laboratories conducting pesticide residue analyses. Non-EU authorities can seek advice from EU Reference Laboratories on how to achieve these lower levels in residue analysis (for more information see AGRINFO: Maximum residue levels for oxamyl).

Table 1. European Union (EU) maximum residue level (MRL) changes for OXAMYL on key crops affecting African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) horticulture planned for early 2024

(*) Limit of determination (LOD)

COLEAD has compiled a dashboard presenting registered products containing oxamyl and their respective conditions of use in ACP countries. This also outlines the ACP countries where the EU MRL changes for oxamyl might have repercussions for export. It is based on information extracted from the latest national lists of registered plant protection products provided by 34 ACP countries. To confirm if your country is included, please refer to the list here. If your country is not listed, we highly recommend reaching out to your national authorities.

Indoxacarb is another insecticide widely used on fruits and vegetables. The MRLs will be set at the LOD of 0.01 mg/kg for all products (except cranberries, honey, spices, and teas, for which the MRLs are unchanged). Links to the draft regulation and annexes concerning the changes of MRLs for indoxacarb can be found on the standing committee page on indoxacarb.

The new MRLs will apply from approximately June 2024 – the precise date will be known once the Regulation is published.

These changes may particularly affect exports of aubergine, banana, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, grapes, melon, pear, peppers, potato, spinach, sweet potato, and tomato (products on which indoxacarb residues have been found by EU Member State controls between 2020 and 2023). Other important horticultural products from ACP countries for which news MRLs could have an impact are summarized in .

Table 2. European Union (EU) maximum residue level (MRL) changes for INDOXACARB on key crops affecting African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) horticulture planned for early 2024

 (*) Limit of determination (LOD)

COLEAD has compiled a dashboard presenting registered products containing indoxacarb and their respective conditions of use in ACP countries. This also outlines the ACP countries where the EU MRL changes for indoxacarb might have repercussions for export. It is based on information extracted from the latest national lists of registered plant protection products provided by 34 ACP countries. To confirm if your country is included, please refer to the list here. If your country is not listed, we highly recommend reaching out to your national authorities.

It is essential that suppliers of fruit and vegetables to the EU market are aware of these changes, verify their use of oxamyl and indoxacarb, and take measures to ensure compliance with the new MRLs as soon as they come into application.

In these cases, where the level is reduced to the Limit of Determination (LoD), it will not be possible to meet the new MRL, and growers will have to look for alternative crop protection solutions. This is essential to avoid interception and destruction of exported produce at EU borders.

If you have any major concerns about these changes, and fear that you will be left without an effective and locally available alternative, please contact COLEAD at: network@colead.link.

For further information on the proposed new rules and their implications, see Maximum residue levels for oxamyl and Maximum residue levels for indoxacarb records developed by AGRINFO programme implemented by COLEAD.