New (EU) Regulations 2018/70 and 2018/73: Changes to MRLs

Two new European regulations have just been published in the Official Journal of the European Union:

Règlement (UE) 2018/70 of 16 January 2018 amending Annexes II, III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for ametokradine, chlorpyrifos-methyl, cyproconazole, difenoconazole, fluazinam, flutriafol, prohex
Among the changes implemented via this regulation:
The MRL for Ametoctradin on herbs was increased from 0.01mg/kg to 20mg/kg.
The MRLs for chlorpyrifos methyl on pomegranate and khaki increased from 0.05 to 0.3 and from 0.05 to 0.5 mg/kg respectively.
The MRL for cyproconazole on borage seeds was reduced from 0.05 to 0.4 mg/kg.
The MRLs for difenoconazole on Strawberries, Cabbage, Lettuce, Scarole, Cress, Young Sprouts, Herbs, Leeks, Barley, Licorice, Ginger and Turmeric have been increased.
The MRLs for Fluazinam on garlic, onion and shallot were increased from 0.01 to 0.06 mg/kg.
The MRL for Flutriafol on Hops was increased from 0.05 to 20mg/kg.
The MRL for Prohexadione on Plum was increased from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.
Sodium chloride was added to Schedule IV of the Regulations.

This text was published on 17/01/18 and will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication.

Règlement (UE) 2018/70 of 16 January 2018 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels of mercury compounds in or on certain products.
As Directive 79/117/EEC prohibited the placing on the market and use of plant protection products containing mercury, all MRLs had been set at the lower limit of analytical determination under Regulation (EU) 149/2008.
MRLs for Mercury compounds had never been revised since the European harmonization of MRLs.
The special feature of this new regulation is that, for the first time, it takes into account the presence of mercury due to environmental contamination.
Among the changes implemented via this regulation:
The MRL on nuts was increased from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg.
The MRL on herbs was increased from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg.
The MRL on mushrooms increased from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.
MRLs on wild mushrooms rose from 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg except for porcini mushrooms where it was set at 0.9 mg/kg.
MRLs for Ginger, Turmeric and Macis were increased from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg.

This text was published on 18/01/18 and will enter into force on the 20th day following its publication.

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