On 2nd Feb 2023, the EU Commission adopted new rules which, once applicable in 2026, will lower the Maximum Residues Levels (MRLs) of two pesticides in food.
Assessments by the European Food Safety Authority showed that the two chemicals, belonging to the group of neonicotinoid pesticides, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, pose a high risk to bees and contribute to the global decline of pollinators. For this reason, their outdoor use was banned in the EU in 2018.
The new rules will lower existing MRLs for these substances to the lowest level that can be measured with the latest technologies. They will apply to all products produced in the EU, and also to imported food and feed products.
The new rules will be issued as an EU Regulation, that will amend the existing 2005 Regulation. Further information is here.
Also on 19th Jan 2023, the EU court published a preliminary ruling on questions posed by the Belgian Administrative Court, following a complaint by PAN Europe, Nature & Progrès Belgium and a Belgian beekeeper. The Court declared that providing derogations for the treatment of seeds with a banned pesticide and their use is not in line with EU law. The ruling is here.
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