EFSA sets out conditions for EU pesticide approvals

27 April 2005 15:16  [Source: ICIS news]

PARIS (CNI)--The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has advised on conditions it wants attached by the European Commission (EC) to market approvals for six pesticides to be used in the European Union (EU).

For tolylfluanid, EFSA has particular concern, saying it should only be sprayed on wine grapes (not table grapes) because of “the high acute risk (of contamination) for toddlers and children”. There should also be a 5-20 metre buffer zone at the edge of fields to protect fish, and mammals and birds that eat them. See: Http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/894/praper_sr29_conclusion_tolylfluanid_en1.pdf

With diuron, there was serious concern over contamination of plants, with EFSA proposing an especially wide 50 metre buffer zone for spraying. See http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/869/praper_conclusion_diuron_en1.pdf

For trifluralin, the EFSA's concerns included a need for “appropriate risk mitigation measures” to protect fish against contamination. See http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/896/praper_sr28_conclusion_trifluralin_summary_en1.pdf

On glufosinate, the food safety body wanted additional restrictions to protect younger women’s fertility and a buffer zone regarding spraying to protect insects and spiders in areas next to fields, such as hedgerows. See http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/895/praper_ej27_conclusion_glufosinate_en1.pdf

Regarding oxamyl, the agency called for more investigations into the “high risk” of harm to birds, mammals and earthworms before reaching final conclusions. See http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/868/praper_rep26_conclusion_oxamyl_en1.pdf

Finally, for tribenuron, the EFSA highlighted concerns about feeding livestock leftover ‘forage’, where its scientists found “unidentified compounds”. See: http://www.efsa.eu.int/science/praper/conclusions/801/praper_rep15_tribenuron_conclud_en1.pdf

By: Keith Nuthall
+44 20 8652 3214

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