Resolution on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/52 of 22 January 2021 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances benfluralin, dimoxystrobin, fluazinam, flutolanil, mecoprop-P, mepiquat, metiram, oxamyl and pyraclostrobin

The European Parliament adopted by 472 votes to 214, with 9 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/52 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances benfluralin, dimoxystrobin, fluazinam, flutolanil, mecoprop-P, mepiquat, metiram, oxamyl and pyraclostrobin.

The approval period of the active substance dimoxystrobin has once again been extended by one year by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/52, which extends the approval period to 31 January 2022.

Parliament considered that Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/52 exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the Market. It considered that the decision to extend the approval period of dimoxystrobin is not in line with the safety criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and is based neither on evidence that that substance can be used safely, nor on a proven urgent need for that substance in food production in the Union.

The Commission is called on to:

- repeal Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/52 and to submit a new draft to the committee, which takes into account the scientific evidence on the harmful properties of all the substances concerned, especially those of dimoxystrobin;

- present a proposal for non-renewal of dimoxystrobin in the next meeting of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed;

- communicate to Parliament the specific reasons why the assessment of the substances has been delayed for reasons beyond the control of the applicants, which specific endpoints are still under assessment, and why that assessment requires so much time to be conducted;

- present draft implementing regulations to extend the approval periods only of substances for which the current state of science is not expected to lead to a Commission proposal for non-renewal of the approval of the active substance concerned;

- withdraw the approvals for substances, if proof or reasonable doubts exist that they will not meet the safety criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.

Lastly, Member States should ensure the proper and timely reassessment of the approvals of the active substances for which they are the reporting Member States, and to ensure that the current delays are solved effectively as soon as possible.