Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 requires that the maximum residue limit (hereinafter ‘MRL’) for pharmacologically active substances intended for use in the Union in veterinary medicinal products for food-producing animals or in biocidal products used in animal husbandry is established in a Regulation.

Purified semi-solid extract from Humulus lupulus L. containing approximately 48 % of beta acids (as potassium salts) is not yet included in that table.

An application for the establishment of MRLs for purified semi-solid extract from Humulus lupulus L. containing approximately 48 % of beta acids (as potassium salts) in honey has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency (hereinafter ‘EMA’).

The EMA, based on the opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use, has recommended that the establishment of an MRL for purified semi-solid extract from Humulus lupulus L. containing approximately 48 % of beta acids (as potassium salts) in honey, is not necessary for the protection of human health.

According to Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 470/2009, the EMA is to consider using MRLs established for a pharmacologically active substance in a particular foodstuff for another foodstuff derived from the same species, or MRLs established for a pharmacologically active substance in one or more species for other species.

Given that residues in honey are not subject to the metabolic processes to which they may be subjected in other food commodities of animal origin, the EMA concluded that an extrapolation of the recommendation on MRL for purified semi-solid extract from Humulus lupulus L. containing approximately 48 % of beta acids (as potassium salts) is not appropriate.

Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products,