Sittings · Document

Adopted text 2026-09-16

Maximum residue levels for flupyradifurone

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 17 Sept 2026

Parliament opposes the draft Commission regulation that would raise maximum residue levels (MRLs) for flupyradifurone, including in rapeseeds from 0,3 mg/kg to 0,4 mg/kg. It says the draft is incompatible with Regulations (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 178/2002 and (EC) No 1107/2009, and asks the Commission to withdraw it and submit a new one that does not change MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds. It calls for the precautionary principle, for the Article 21 approval review to be sped up rather than waiting until June 2029, and for no MRL increases while that review is unfinished. It cites risks to bees, including solitary bees and bumblebees, and notes that flupyradifurone meets the definition of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Key points

  1. Parliament opposes adoption of the draft Commission regulation, which would raise MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds from 0,3 mg/kg to 0,4 mg/kg.
  2. It considers the draft incompatible with Regulations (EC) No 396/2005 and (EC) No 178/2002 and with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, including point 3.6.4 of Annex II thereof.
  3. It calls on the Commission to apply the precautionary principle, withdraw the draft regulation and submit a new one that does not modify MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds.
  4. It asks the Commission to urgently speed up the Article 21 review of the approval of flupyradifurone and not wait until June 2029.
  5. It calls on the Commission not to raise any MRLs for flupyradifurone while the Article 21 procedure is unfinished, including the new MRLs proposed by EFSA.
  6. It cites EFSA's 2022 statement that the initial risk assessment covered only honey bees, used outdated guidance and was very unlikely to protect solitary bees.
  7. It notes that Greece, as rapporteur Member State, found no mitigation scenario giving acceptable risk for uses where bees can be exposed, and that acceptable risk is possible only for permanent greenhouse structures without pollination services.
  8. It states that a literature review up to 1 March 2026 shows 72 unevaluated studies on flupyradifurone's effects on non-target organisms, 44 on bees and bumblebees, most reporting toxic effects.
  9. It says the authorisation holder failed to inform Member States of new studies as required by Article 56 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and that Member States should withdraw authorisations where the holder fails to comply.
  10. It notes EFSA's reasoned opinion of 24 July 2026 proposing higher MRLs for flupyradifurone in almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, strawberries and escaroles, and says these raise similar concerns.
  11. It states that flupyradifurone is a neonicotinoid-like substance with the same mode of action as neonicotinoids, and that its classification as a butenolide is misleading as to its toxicity to bees.
  12. It says flupyradifurone and its metabolites meet the PFAS definition, that it degrades into difluoroacetic acid (DFA), and that all PFAS pesticides should be banned as soon as possible.

Who is affected

  • The Commission: asked to withdraw the draft regulation, submit a new one and speed up the approval review.
  • Member States: told they should withdraw authorisations where the authorisation holder fails to comply with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
  • The authorisation holder: said to have failed to inform Member States of new studies on flupyradifurone.
  • Bees, including solitary bees and bumblebees: cited as at risk from flupyradifurone, especially in bee-attractive crops such as rapeseed.

Figures and deadlines

  • MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds proposed to rise from 0,3 mg/kg to 0,4 mg/kg.
  • Flupyradifurone approved in 2015 for a period of 10 years.
  • In July 2025 the Commission extended the authorisation until June 2029, a 3,5-year extension.
  • 72 studies on flupyradifurone's effects on non-target organisms unevaluated by EFSA, 44 concerning bees and bumblebees.
  • Literature review up to 1 March 2026.
  • EFSA reasoned opinion approved on 24 July 2026 proposing higher MRLs in almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, strawberries and escaroles.

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.