Amendment to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on certain products

The European Parliament has objected to a draft regulation that would set maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the pesticide cyproconazole in food products. The Parliament believes the proposed levels are not sufficiently protective of human health and create unfair competition for EU farmers.

This objection primarily affects farmers within the EU, who must adhere to stricter standards, and potentially consumers if imported products contain higher residue levels. It also impacts producers in third countries who export food to the EU.

The core issue is that the approval for cyproconazole, classified as toxic for reproduction, expired in the EU in 2021, and its use is banned. The draft regulation proposed maintaining higher MRLs for certain products based on international standards (Codex Alimentarius), which the Parliament argues undermines EU health and safety rules.

The Parliament calls for all MRLs for cyproconazole to be lowered to the default limit of 0.01 mg/kg, aligning with the ban on its use within the EU. It urges the Commission to withdraw the draft and propose new rules that adhere to the precautionary principle and protect consumer health.