Changes for fosetyl and phosphonic acid

EU regulation 2024/2619 has just been published in the OJEU.

It modifies the residue definition and MRLs for fosetyl, potassium phosphonate and disodium phosphonate.

Regulatory status before 04/29/2025

Fosetyl, potassium phosphonates and disodium phosphonate, substances found in crop protection products, degrade to phosphonic acid.

These substances are included in the same residue definition and MRLs are set for the sum of these compounds:

"Fosetyl-Al (sum of fosetyl, phosphonic acid and their salts, expressed as fosetyl)".

Regulatory status from 04/29/2025

In addition to their use as active substances in plant protection products, potassium phosphonates are also used in the composition of other products of interest to agriculture (fertilizers, plant boosters, manure, soil conditioners). Consequently, the authorized treatment of plants with these products may lead to the detection of phosphonic acid residues in the agricultural products concerned.

EFSA has therefore proposed to modify the definition of residue by :

"Phosphonic acid and its salts, expressed as phosphonic acid".

The new MRLs therefore take account of residues from sources other than the use of plant protection products.

Fosetyl is excluded from the residue definition, but if residues are detected, they should be disregarded and the default value of 0.01 mg/kg should not apply.

The applicable MRL is that of its metabolite, phosphonic acid.

The same MRLs now apply individually to fosetyl and phosphonic acid.

Impact on MRLs

MRLs have been increased for grapefruit, oranges, stone fruit, blackberries, kumquats, passion fruit/maracudjas, papayas, parsnips, parsley root, radishes, gherkins, lettuces and salads (except lettuces), spinach and similar leaves (except spinach), endives/chicons, artichokes, dried legumes, peanuts, rice, teas, coffee beans, cocoa beans, locust beans and honey.

MRLs have been lowered for lemons, limes, mandarins, nuts, pome fruit, wine grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, other berries and small fruit, miscellaneous fruit with edible skin (except kumquats), various fruits with inedible skins (except passion fruit and papayas), potatoes, tropical root and tuber vegetables, other root and tuber vegetables (except parsnips, parsley and radishes), bulb vegetables, Solanaceae and Malvaceae, zucchinis, inedible-skinned cucurbits, brassicas, lettuces, spinach, grape leaves and similar species, watercress, herbs and edible flowers, leguminous vegetables, stem vegetables (except artichokes), mushrooms, mosses and lichens, oilseeds (except peanuts), oleaginous fruits, cereals (except buckwheat and rice), infusions, hops, spices, sugar plants and milk.

Application date

The changes to the definition of residues and MRLs will apply from April 29, 2025.

Article 2 of this regulation specifies that the old MRLs will continue to apply to products produced in or imported into the EU before April 29, 2025.

Your Phytocontrol laboratory offers analysis of fosetyl and phosphonic acid under COFRAC accreditation. You can consult our COFRAC technical appendix N°1-1904 available in your customer area or on the COFRAC website.

Need technical, regulatory or pricing information? Our customer service is available from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday on +33 800 900 775 or service-clients@phytocontrol.com.

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