Commission Directive 2007/55/EC

of 17 September 2007

amending certain Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for azinphos-methyl

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 76/895/EEC of 23 November 1976 relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables1, and in particular Article 5 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 86/362/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals2, 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 origin3, 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 vegetables4, and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)
The Commission was informed that for azinphos-methyl 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 Member State which acted as rapporteur for azinphos-methyl under Council Directive 91/414/EEC5, to make a proposal for the review of Community MRLs. Such a proposal was submitted to the Commission.
(2)

Community MRLs and the levels recommended by the Codex Alimentarius are fixed and evaluated following similar procedures. There are a number of Codex MRLs for azinphos-methyl. The Community MRLs based on Codex MRLs have also been evaluated by the Rapporteur Member State in the light of the new information on the risks for the consumers.

(3)
The lifetime and short-term exposure of consumers to the azinphos-methyl via food products has been reassessed and evaluated in accordance with Community procedures and practices, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organisation6. On that basis, it is appropriate to fix new MRLs, which will ensure that there is no unacceptable consumer exposure.
(4)

In order to ensure that the consumer is adequately protected from exposure to residues resulting from unauthorised uses of plant protection products, MRLs should be set for the relevant product/pesticide combinations at the lower limit of analytical determination.

(5)

It is therefore necessary to modify the MRLs set out in the Annexes to Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC to allow for proper surveillance and control of the prohibition of their uses and to protect the consumer.

(6)

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

(7)

Directives 76/895/EEC, 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: