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 triazophos

(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 86/363/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on foodstuffs of animal origin2, 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 vegetables3, 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 market4, and in particular Article 4(1)(f) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

In the case of cereals and products of plant origin including fruit and vegetables, residue levels reflect the use of minimum quantities of pesticides necessary to achieve effective protection of plants, applied in such a manner that the amount of residue is as low as is practicable and toxicologically acceptable, having regard, in particular to the protection of the environment and the estimated dietary intake of consumers. In the case of foodstuffs of animal origin, residue levels reflect the consumption by animals of cereals and products of plant origin treated with pesticides and, where relevant, the direct consequences of the use of veterinary medicines. Community maximum residue levels (MRLs) represent the upper limit of the amount of such residues that might be expected to be found in commodities when good agricultural practices have been respected.

(2)

MRLs for pesticides are kept under review and changed to take account of new information and data. MRLs are fixed at the lower limit of analytical determination where authorised uses of plant protection products do not result in detectable levels of pesticide residue 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 by the necessary data.

(3)

The Commission was informed that for several pesticides current MRLs may need to be revised in the light of the availability of new information on the toxicology and consumer intake. The Commission has asked the relevant rapporteur Member States to make proposals for the review of Community MRLs. Such proposals were submitted to the Commission.

(4)

The lifetime and short-term exposure of consumers to the pesticides referred to in this Directive via food products has been reassessed and evaluated in accordance with Community procedures and practices, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organization5. On that basis, it is appropriate to fix new MRLs, which will ensure that there is no unacceptable consumer exposure.

(5)

Where relevant, the acute exposure of consumers to those pesticides via each of the food products that may contain residues has been assessed and evaluated in accordance with Community procedures and practices, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organization. It is concluded that the presence of pesticide residues at or below the new MRLs will not cause acute toxic effects.

(6)

Through the World Trade Organization, the Community’s trading partners have been consulted about the new MRLs and their comments on these levels have been taken into account.

(7)

The Annexes to Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

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 86/363/EEC is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Directive.

Article 3

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

Article 4

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.

When Member States adopt those provisions, 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.

2

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 5

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

Article 6

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 7 July 2006.

For the Commission

Markos Kyprianou

Member of the Commission

ANNEX I

Part A of Annex II to Directive 86/362/EEC is amended as follows:

  1. 1.

    The following line for atrazine is added:

    Pesticide residues

    Maximum level in mg/kg

    ‘Atrazine

    0,056

    CEREALS

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’

  2. 2.

    The lines for azinphos-ethyl, ethephon and triazophos are replaced by the following:

    Pesticide residues

    Maximum level in mg/kg

    ‘Azinphos-ethyl

    0,057

    CEREALS

    Ethephon

    0,5 barley, rye

    0,2 triticale, wheat

    0,057 cereals others

    Triazophos

    0,027

    CEREALS

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’

ANNEX II

Part A of Annex II to Directive 86/363/EEC is amended as follows:

  1. 1.

    In Part A of Annex II to Directive 86/363/EEC, the lines for azinphos-ethyl and triazophos are replaced by the following:

    Pesticide residues

    Maximum level in mg/kg

    of fat contained in meat, preparations of meat, offal and animal fats listed in Annex I under headings Nos ex 0201, 0202, 0203, 0204, 0205 00 00, 0206, 0207, ex 0208, 0209 00, 0210, 1601 00 and 1602 (1) (4)

    for cow's milk and whole cream cow's milk listed in Annex I under headings No 0401: for other foodstuffs in heading Nos 0401, 0402, 0405 00 and 0406 in accordance with (2) (4)

    of shelled fresh eggs, for bird's eggs and egg yolks listed in Annex I under headings Nos 0407 00 and 0408 (3) (4)

    ‘Azinphos-ethyl

    0,018

    0,018

    0,018

    Triazophos

    0,018

    0,018

    0,018

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’

  2. 2.

    In Part A of Annex II to Directive 86/363/EEC, the line for fenthion is added by the following:

    Pesticide residues

    Maximum level in mg/kg

    of fat contained in meat, preparations of meat, offal and animal fats listed in Annex I under headings Nos ex 0201, 0202, 0203, 0204, 0205 00 00, 0206, 0207, ex 0208, 0209 00, 0210, 1601 00 and 1602 (1) (4)

    for cow's milk and whole cream cow's milk listed in Annex I under headings No 0401: for other foodstuffs in heading Nos 0401, 0402, 0405 00 and 0406 in accordance with (2) (4)

    of shelled fresh eggs, for bird's eggs and egg yolks listed in Annex I under headings Nos 0407 00 and 0408 (3) (4)

    ‘Fenthion and its oxygen analogue, their sulfoxides and sulfones expressed as parent

    0,059

    0,019

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’

ANNEX III

Part A of Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC is amended as follows:

  1. 1.

    The following column for fenthion is added:

    Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs apply

    Fenthion and its oxygen analogue, their sulfoxides and sulfones expressed as parent

    ‘1.

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

    (i)

    CITRUS FRUIT

    3

    Grapefruit

    Lemons

    Limes

    Mandarins (including clementines and other hybrids)

    Oranges

    Pomelos

    Others

    (ii)

    TREE NUTS (shelled or unshelled)

    0,0110

    Almonds

    Brazil nuts

    Cashew nuts

    Chestnuts

    Coconuts

    Hazelnuts

    Macadamia

    Pecans

    Pine nuts

    Pistachios

    Walnuts

    Others

    (iii)

    POME FRUIT

    0,0110

    Apples

    Pears

    Quinces

    Others

    (iv)

    STONE FRUIT

    Apricots

    Cherries

    2

    Peaches (including nectarines and similar hybrids)

    Plums

    Others

    0,0110

    (v)

    BERRIES AND SMALL FRUIT

    0,0110

    (a)

    Table and wine grapes

    Table grapes

    Wine grapes

    (b)

    Strawberries (other than wild)

    (c)

    Cane fruit (other than wild)

    Blackberries

    Dewberries

    Loganberries

    Raspberries

    Others

    (d)

    Other small fruit and berries (other than wild)

    Bilberries

    Cranberries

    Currants (red, black and white)

    Gooseberries

    Others

    (e)

    Wild berries and wild fruit

    (vi)

    MISCELLANEOUS

    Avocados

    Bananas

    Dates

    Figs

    Kiwi

    Kumquats

    Litchis

    Mangoes

    olives (table consumption)

    1

    olives (oil extraction)

    1

    Papaya

    Passion fruit

    Pineapples

    Others

    0,0110

    2.

    Vegetables, fresh or uncooked, frozen or dry

    0,0110

    (i)

    ROOT AND TUBER VEGETABLES

    Beetroot

    Carrots

    Cassava

    Celeriac

    Horseradish

    Jerusalem artichokes

    Parsnips

    Parsley root

    Radishes

    Salsify

    Sweet potatoes

    Swedes

    Turnips

    Yam

    Others

    (ii)

    BULB VEGETABLES

    Garlic

    Onions

    Shallots

    Spring onions

    Others

    (iii)

    FRUITING VEGETABLES

    (a)

    Solanacea

    Tomatoes

    Peppers

    Aubergines

    Okra

    Others

    (b)

    Cucurbits - edible peel

    Cucumbers

    Gherkins

    Courgettes

    Others

    (c)

    Cucurbits - inedible peel

    Melons

    Squashes

    Watermelons

    Others

    (d)

    Sweet corn

    (iv)

    BRASSICA VEGETABLES

    (a)

    Flowering brassica

    Broccoli

    Cauliflower

    Others

    (b)

    Head brassica

    Brussels sprouts

    Head cabbage

    Others

    (c)

    Leafy brassica

    Chinese cabbage

    Kale

    Others

    (d)

    Kohlrabi

    (v)

    LEAF VEGETABLES AND FRESH HERBS

    (a)

    Lettuce & similar

    Cress

    Lamb's lettuce

    Lettuce

    Scarole

    Ruccola

    Leaves and stems of brassica

    Others

    (b)

    Spinach & similar

    Spinach

    Beet leaves (chard)

    Others

    (c)

    Water cress

    (d)

    Witloof

    (e)

    Herbs

    Chervil

    Chives

    Parsley

    Celery leaves

    Others

    (vi)

    LEGUME VEGETABLES (fresh)

    Beans (with pods)

    Beans (without pods)

    Peas (with pods)

    Peas (without pods)

    Others

    (vii)

    STEM VEGETABLES (fresh)

    Asparagus

    Cardoons

    Celery

    Fennel

    Globe artichokes

    Leek

    Rhubarb

    Others

    (viii)

    FUNGI

    (a)

    Cultivated mushrooms

    (b)

    Wild mushrooms

    3.

    Pulses

    0,0110

    Beans

    Lentils

    Peas

    Others

    4.

    Oil seed

    0,0210

    Linseed

    Peanuts

    Poppy seeds

    Sesame seeds

    Sunflower seed

    Rape seed

    Soya bean

    Mustard seed

    Cotton seed

    Hemp seed

    Others

    5.

    Potatoes

    0,0110

    Early potatoes

    Ware potatoes

    6.

    Tea (leaves and stems, dried, fermented or otherwise, from the leaves of Camellia sinensis)

    0,110

    7.

    Hops (dried), including hop pellets and unconcentrated powder

    0,110

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’

  2. 2.

    The columns for atrazine, azinphos-ethyl, cyfluthrin, ethephon, methamidophos, methomyl, paraquat and triazophos are replaced by the following:

    Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs apply

    Atrazine

    Azinphos-ethyl

    Cyfluthrin including other mixtures of constituent isomers (sum of isomers)

    Ethephon

    Methamidophos

    Methomyl/Thiodicarb (sum expressed as methomyl)

    Paraquat

    Triazophos

    ‘1.

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

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0211

    0,0111

    (i)

    CITRUS FRUIT

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    Grapefruit

    0,5

    Lemons

    1

    Limes

    1

    Mandarins (including clementines and other hybrids)

    1

    Oranges

    0,5

    Pomelos

    0,5

    Others

    0,0511

    (ii)

    TREE NUTS (shelled or unshelled)

    0,0211

    0,1

    0,0111

    0,0511

    Almonds

    Brazil nuts

    Cashew nuts

    Chestnuts

    Coconuts

    Hazelnuts

    Macadamia

    Pecans

    Pine nuts

    Pistachios

    Walnuts

    Others

    (iii)

    POME FRUIT

    0,2

    0,0111

    0,2

    Apples

    0,5

    Pears

    Quinces

    Others

    0,0511

    (iv)

    STONE FRUIT

    Apricots

    0,3

    0,1

    0,2

    Cherries

    0,2

    3

    0,1

    Peaches (including nectarines and similar hybrids)

    0,3

    0,05

    0,2

    Plums

    0,2

    0,5

    Others

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    0,0511

    (v)

    BERRIES AND SMALL FRUIT

    0,0111

    (a)

    Table and wine grapes

    0,3

    1

    Table grapes

    0,0511

    Wine grapes

    1

    (b)

    Strawberries (other than wild)

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    (c)

    Cane fruit (other than wild)

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    Blackberries

    Dewberries

    Loganberries

    Raspberries

    Others

    (d)

    Other small fruit and berries (other than wild)

    0,0211

    0,0511

    Bilberries

    Cranberries

    Currants (red, black and white)

    5

    Gooseberries

    Others

    0,0511

    (e)

    Wild berries and wild fruit

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    (vi)

    MISCELLANEOUS

    0,0211

    0,0111

    0,0511

    Avocados

    Bananas

    Dates

    Figs

    Kiwi

    Kumquats

    Litchis

    Mangoes

    olives (table consuption)

    olives (oil extraction)

    Papaya

    Passion fruit

    Pineapples

    2

    Others

    0,0511

    2.

    Vegetables, fresh or uncooked, frozen or dry

    0,0211

    0,0211

    0,0111

    (i)

    ROOT AND TUBER VEGETABLES

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    Beetroot

    Carrots

    Cassava

    Celeriac

    Horseradish

    Jerusalem artichokes

    Parsnips

    Parsley root

    Radishes

    0,5

    Salsify

    Sweet potatoes

    Swedes

    Turnips

    Yam

    Others

    0,0511

    (ii)

    BULB VEGETABLES

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    0,0511

    Garlic

    Onions

    Shallots

    Spring onions

    Others

    (iii)

    FRUITING VEGETABLES

    0,0111

    (a)

    Solanacea

    0,0511

    Tomatoes

    0,05

    1

    0,2

    Peppers

    0,3

    3

    Aubergines

    0,2

    Okra

    Others

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    (b)

    Cucurbits - edible peel

    0,0511

    0,0511

    0,0511

    Cucumbers

    0,1

    Gherkins

    Courgettes

    Others

    0,0211

    (c)

    Cucurbits - inedible peel

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    Melons

    Squashes

    Watermelons

    Others

    (d)

    Sweet corn

    0,1

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    (iv)

    BRASSICA VEGETABLES

    0,0511

    0,0511

    (a)

    Flowering brassica

    0,05

    0,02

    Broccoli

    0,2

    Cauliflower

    Others

    0,0511

    (b)

    Head brassica

    0,2

    0,0111

    0,0511

    Brussels sprouts

    Head cabbage

    Others

    (c)

    Leafy brassica

    0,3

    0,0111

    0,0511

    Chinese cabbage

    Kale

    Others

    (d)

    Kohlrabi

    0,0211

    0,0111

    0,0511

    (v)

    LEAF VEGETABLES AND FRESH HERBS

    0,0511

    0,0511

    0,0111

    (a)

    Lettuce & similar

    0,5

    Cress

    Lamb's lettuce

    Lettuce

    0,3

    Scarole

    Ruccola

    Leaves and stems of brassica

    Others

    0,0511

    (b)

    Spinach & similar

    0,0211

    Spinach

    0,05

    Beet leaves (chard)

    Others

    0,0511

    (c)

    Water cress

    0,0211

    0,0511

    (d)

    Witloof

    0,0211

    0,0511

    (e)

    Herbs

    0,0211

    0,3

    Chervil

    Chives

    Parsley

    Celery leaves

    Others

    (vi)

    LEGUME VEGETABLES (fresh)

    0,0511

    0,05

    0,0511

    0,0511

    Beans (with pods)

    0,5

    Beans (without pods)

    Peas (with pods)

    0,5

    Peas (without pods)

    Others

    0,0111

    (vii)

    STEM VEGETABLES (fresh)

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0511

    Asparagus

    Cardoons

    Celery

    Fennel

    Globe artichokes

    0,1

    Leek

    Rhubarb

    Others

    0,0111

    (viii)

    FUNGI

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    0,0511

    (a)

    Cultivated mushrooms

    (b)

    Wild mushrooms

    3.

    Pulses

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0111

    Beans

    Lentils

    Peas

    Others

    4.

    Oil seed

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0211

    0,0111

    Linseed

    Peanuts

    0,1

    Poppy seeds

    Sesame seeds

    Sunflower seed

    Rape seed

    0,05

    Soya bean

    0,2

    0,1

    Mustard seed

    Cotton seed

    2

    0,2

    0,1

    Hemp seed

    Others

    0,0211

    0,111

    0,0111

    0,0511

    5.

    Potatoes

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0211

    0,0511

    0,0111

    0,0511

    0,0211

    0,0111

    Early potatoes

    Ware potatoes

    6.

    Tea (leaves and stems, dried, fermented or otherwise, from the leaves of Camellia sinensis)

    0,111

    0,0511

    0,111

    0,111

    0,0211

    0,111

    0,0511

    0,0211

    7.

    Hops (dried), including hop pellets and unconcentrated powder

    0,111

    0,0511

    20

    0,111

    0,0211

    10

    0,0511

    0,0211

    Indicates lower limit of analytical determination.’