Non-renewal of the active substance methiocarb

The EU implementing regulation n°2019/1606 was published in the OJEU concerning the non-renewal of the active substance "methiocarb".

Methiocarb is used in the EU in plant protection products for application on various crops: maize, vines, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, onions, leeks, garlic, shallots, apples, pears, stone fruits, strawberries, sugar beet, potatoes, watermelons, melons, cabbages.

EFSA identified an unacceptable risk to workers (even taking into account the use of personal protective equipment) and a high risk to birds, mammals and earthworms. The Authority could not carry out the consumer risk assessment because the residue definition for the risk assessment for plant products could not be finalised because the available data did not allow to exclude the genotoxic potential of the metabolite M01.

Member States should withdraw authorisations for plant protection products containing the active substance methiocarb by 3 January 2020 at the latest. The period of grace granted by Member States for plant protection products containing methiocarb shall expire on 3 April 2020 at the latest.

In France, all products have already been withdrawn, as methiocarb has not been authorised as a molluscicide since 2014.

The regulation entered into force on 30 September 2019.

Be aware that your Phytocontrol laboratory is able to test for methiocarb and its metabolites in products of plant origin.

For any technical, pricing and/or regulatory information, please contact us.