EU Commission modifies MRLs for prochloraz

The Commission of the European Union (EU) has modified the maximum residual levels (MRLs) for the use of the pesticide prochloraz in or on certain food and feed products.

Published in mid-February in the Official Journal of the European Union, Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/192 amends Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 which sets forth pesticide MRLs for food and feed products of plant and animal origin.

The modified MRLs are in response to recommendations from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Specifically, the EFSA proposed changing the residue definition of prochloraz to reflect the sum of prochloraz and the chemicals BTS 44595 and BTS 44596. This change prompted the EFSA to call for the lowering of prochloraz MRLs for certain foods and the revision of MRLs to EFSA-recommended levels for other foods in cases where there is no demonstrable risk to consumers.