Commission Directive 2007/7/EC

of 14 February 2007

amending certain Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum residue levels of atrazine, lambda-cyhalothrin, phenmedipham, methomyl, linuron, penconazole, pymetrozine, bifenthrin and abamectin

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 86/362/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals1, and in particular Article 10 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 90/642/EEC of 27 November 1990 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables2, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market3, and in particular Article 4(1)(f) thereof

Whereas:

(1)

In accordance with Directive 91/414/EEC, authorisations of plant protection products for use on specific crops are the responsibility of the Member States. Such authorisations have to be based on the evaluation of effects on human and animal health and influence on the environment. Elements to be taken into account in such evaluations include operator and bystander exposure and impact on the terrestrial, aquatic and aerial environments, as well as impact on humans and animals through consumption of residues on treated crops.

(2)

Maximum residue levels (MRLs) reflect the use of minimum quantities of pesticides to achieve effective protection of plants, applied in such a manner that the amount of residue is the smallest practicable and is toxicologically acceptable, in particular in terms of estimated dietary intake.

(3)

MRLs for pesticides covered by Directives 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC are to be kept under review and may be modified to take account of new or changed uses. Information about new or changed uses has been communicated to the Commission which will lead to changes in the residue levels of lambda-cyhalothrin, phenmedipham, methomyl, linuron, penconazole and pymetrozine.

(4)
The lifetime exposure of consumers to those pesticides via food products that may contain residues of those pesticides, has been assessed and evaluated in accordance with the procedures and practices used within the Community, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organisation4. In this evaluation it was taken into account that abamectin is also used as veterinary medicine intended for food-producing animals and that maximum residue limits have been established for that substance in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2377/90 of 26 June 1990 laying down a Community procedure for the establishment of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin5. Based on that assessment and those evaluations, the MRLs for those pesticides should be set so as to ensure that the acceptable daily intake is not exceeded.
(5)
In the case of lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl, linuron and pymetrozine, for which an acute reference dose (ARfD) exists, the acute exposure of consumers via each of the food products that may contain residues of these pesticides has been assessed and evaluated in accordance with the procedures and practices currently used within the Community, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organisation. The opinions of the Scientific Committee on Plants, in particular advice and recommendations concerning the protection of consumers of food products treated with pesticides6, have been taken into account. Based on the dietary intake assessment, the MRLs for those pesticides should be fixed so as to ensure that the ARfD will not be exceeded. In the case of the other substances, an assessment of the available information has shown that no ARfD is required and that therefore a short-term assessment is not needed.
(6)
As regards atrazine on cereals, new information has become available since the adoption of Commission Directive 2006/61/EC of 7 July 2006 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for atrazine, azinphos-ethyl, cyfluthrin, ethephon, fenthion, methamidophos, methomyl, paraquat and triazophos7 which shows that a higher MRL than inserted by that Directive into Directive 86/362/EEC is safe for the consumers. The MRL inserted by Directive 2006/61/EC should therefore be replaced by a higher one.
(7)

Where authorised uses of plant protection products do not result in detectable levels of pesticide residues in or on the food product, or where there are no authorised uses, or where uses which have been authorised by Member States have not been supported by the necessary data, or where uses in third countries resulting in residues in or on food products which may enter into circulation in the Community market have not been supported with such necessary data, MRLs should be fixed at the lower limit of analytical determination.

(8)

Therefore it is appropriate to fix new MRLs for those pesticides.

(9)

The setting or modification at Community level of provisional MRLs does not prevent the Member States from establishing provisional MRLs for phenmedipham, linuron, penconazole and pymetrozin in accordance with Article 4(1)(f) of Directive 91/414/EEC and Annex VI thereto. It is considered that a period of four years is sufficient to permit further uses of these substances. The provisional Community MRL should then become definitive.

(10)

Directive 90/642/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(11)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Annex II to Directive 86/362/EEC is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Directive.

Article 2

Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Directive.

Article 3

1.

As regards Article 1, Member States shall adopt and publish by 20 January 2007 at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive.

They shall apply those provisions from 21 January 2007.

2.

As regards Article 2, Member States shall adopt and publish by 15 August 2007 at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive.

They shall apply those provisions from 16 August 2007.

3.

When Member States adopt the provisions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

4.

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 4

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 5

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 14 February 2007.

For the Commission

Markos Kyprianou

Member of the Commission

ANNEX I

In Part A of Annex II to Directive 86/362/EEC, the line for atrazine is replaced by the following:

Pesticide residues

Maximum level in mg/kg

‘Atrazine

0,18

CEREALS

8

Indicates that the maximum residue level has been established temporarily until 1 January 2008 pending data to be submitted by the applicant. If no data has been received by that date, the MRL will be withdrawn by a Directive or a Regulation.’

ANNEX II

In part A of Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC, the columns for lambda-cyhalothrin, phenmedipham, methomyl, linuron, penconazole, pymetrozine, bifenthrin and abamectin, are replaced by the following:

Pesticide residue and maximum residue level (mg/kg)

Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs would apply

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Phenmedipham

Methomyl/Thiodicarb(sum expressed as methomyl)

Linuron

Penconazole

Pymetrozine

Bifenthrin

Abamectin(sum of avermectin B1a, avermectin B1b and delta-8,9 isomer of avermectin B1a)

‘1.

Fruit, fresh, dried or uncooked, preserved by freezing, not containing added sugar; nuts

0,05910

(i)

CITRUS FRUIT

0,05910

0,059

0,3

0,1

0,019

Grapefruit

0,1

0,5

Lemons

0,2

1

Limes

0,2

1

Mandarins (including clementines and other hybrids)

0,2

1

Oranges

0,1

0,5

Pomelos

0,1

0,5

Others

0,029

0,059

(ii)

TREE NUTS (shelled or unshelled)

0,059

0,05910

0,059

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Almonds

Brazil nuts

Cashew nuts

Chestnuts

Coconuts

Hazelnuts

Macadamia

Pecans

Pine nuts

Pistachios

Walnuts

Others

(iii)

POME FRUIT

0,1

0,05910

0,2

0,2

0,029

0,3

0,019

Apples

Pears

Quinces

Others

(iv)

STONE FRUIT

0,05910

0,2

0,019

Apricots

0,2

0,2

0,1

0,05

Cherries

0,1

Peaches (including nectarines and similar hybrids)

0,2

0,2

0,1

0,05

Plums

0,5

Others

0,1

0,059

0,059

0,029

(v)

BERRIES AND SMALL FRUIT

(a)

Table and wine grapes

0,2

0,05910

0,2

0,029

0,2

0,019

Table grapes

0,059

Wine grapes

1

(b)

Strawberries (other than wild)

0,5

0,110

0,059

0,059

0,5

0,5

0,1

(c)

Cane fruit (other than wild)

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,059

Blackberries

3

0,3

0,1

Dewberries

Loganberries

Raspberries

3

0,3

0,1

Others

0,029

0,059

0,019

(d)

Other small fruit and berries (other than wild)

0,05910

0,059

0,019

Bilberries

0,029

Cranberries

0,029

Currants (red, black and white)

0,1

0,5

0,1

0,5

Gooseberries

0,1

Others

0,029

0,059

0,029

0,059

(e)

Wild berries and wild fruit

0,2

0,05910

0,059

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

(vi)

MISCELLANEOUS

0,05910

0,059

0,059

0,029

Avocados

Bananas

0,1

Dates

Figs

Kiwi

Kumquats

Litchis

Mangoes

0,3

Olives (table consumption)

0,5

Olives (oil extraction)

0,5

Papaya

0,5

0,05

Passion fruit

Pineapples

Pomegranate

Others

0,029

0,059

0,019

2. Vegetables, fresh or uncooked, frozen or dry

(i)

ROOT AND TUBER VEGETABLES

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Beetroot

0,110

Carrots

0,210

Cassava

Celeriac

0,1

0,510

Horseradish

Jerusalem artichokes

Parsnips

0,210

Parsley root

0,210

Radishes

0,1

0,5

Salsify

Sweet potatoes

Swedes

Turnips

Yam

Others

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

(ii)

BULB VEGETABLES

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Garlic

Onions

Shallots

Spring onions

0,05

Others

0,029

(iii)

FRUITING VEGETABLES

0,05910

0,05910

(a)

Solanacea

0,2

Tomatoes

0,1

0,2

0,1

0,5

0,02

Peppers

0,1

0,2

0,2

1

0,05

Aubergines

0,5

0,2

0,1

0,5

0,02

Okra

Others

0,029

0,059

0,059

0,029

0,019

(b)

Cucurbits — edible peel

0,1

0,059

0,1

0,5

0,1

0,02

Cucumbers

Gherkins

Courgettes

Others

(c)

Cucurbits — inedible peel

0,05

0,059

0,1

0,2

0,059

0,019

Melons

Squashes

Watermelons

Others

(d)

Sweetcorn

0,05

0,059

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

(iv)

BRASSICA VEGETABLES

0,05910

0,05910

0,059

0,019

(a)

Flowering brassica

0,1

0,029

0,2

Broccoli (including Calabrese)

0,2

Cauliflower

Others

0,059

(b)

Head brassica

0,059

1

Brussels sprouts

0,05

Head cabbage

0,2

0,05

Others

0,029

0,029

(c)

Leafy brassica

1

0,059

0,2

0,059

Chinese cabbage

Kale

Others

(d)

Kohlrabi

0,029

0,059

0,029

0,059

(v)

LEAF VEGETABLES AND FRESH HERBS

0,059

(a)

Lettuce and similar

1

0,05910

0,05910

2

2

0,1

Cress

Lamb's lettuce

Lettuce

0,3

Scarole (broad-leaf endive)

Ruccola

Leaves and stems of brassica

Others

0,059

(b)

Spinach and similar

0,5

0,510

0,05910

0,029

0,059

0,019

Spinach

0,05

Beet leaves (chard)

Others

0,059

(c)

Watercress

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,029

0,059

0,019

(d)

Witloof

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,029

0,059

0,019

(e)

Herbs

1

7

0,3

110

1

0,059

1

Chervil

Chives

Parsley

Celery leaves

Others

(vi)

LEGUME VEGETABLES (fresh)

0,05910

0,059

0,059

1

0,019

Beans (with pods)

0,2

0,5

Beans (without pods)

0,110

Peas (with pods)

0,2

0,1

Peas (without pods)

0,2

0,110

Others

0,029

0,05910

0,059

(vii)

STEM VEGETABLES (fresh)

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Asparagus

Cardoons

Celery

0,3

0,110

Fennel

0,3

0,110

Globe artichokes

0,210

0,2

Leeks

0,3

Rhubarb

Others

0,029

0,05910

0,05910

0,059

(viii)

FUNGI

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

(a)

Cultivated mushrooms

0,029

(b)

Wild mushrooms

0,5

3.

Pulses

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Beans

Lentils

Peas

Lupines

Others

4.

Oilseeds

0,029

0,1910

0,1910

0,059

0,19

0,029

Linseed

Peanuts

0,1

Poppy seed

Sesame seed

Sunflower seed

Rapeseed

Soya bean

0,1

Mustard seed

Cotton seed

0,1

0,05

Hemp seed

Others

0,059

0,029

5.

Potatoes

0,029

0,05910

0,059

0,05910

0,059

0,029

0,059

0,019

Early potatoes

Ware potatoes

6.

Tea (dried leaves and stalks, fermented or otherwise, Camellia sinensis)

1

0,1910

0,19

0,1910

0,19

0,19

5

0,029

7.

Hops (dried), including hop pellets and unconcentrated powder

10

0,1910

10

0,1910

0,5

15

10

0,05

9

Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.

10

Indicates that the maximum residue level has been established provisionally in accordance with Article 4(1)(f) of Directive 91/414/EEC: unless amended, this level will become definitive with effect from 7 March 2011.’