Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2), (3), and (4)(c): maximum residue levels for flupyradifurone
The European Parliament adopted by 383 votes to 278, with 9 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin, etofenprox, fenpropidin, flupyradifurone, hexythiazox, imazalil, spinosad and tebufenozide in or on certain products.
As a reminder, the draft Commission regulation proposes to increase the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds from 0.3 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg. Flupyradifurone is a neonicotinoid-like substance with the same mode of action as neonicotinoids, which are known for their toxicity to bees. Flupyradifurone was approved in 2015 for a period of 10 years. In July 2025, the Commission extended the authorisation for flupyradifurone until June 2029, representing a 3.5-year extension of the approval period.
Risks for pollinators
In November 2020, France asked the Commission to prohibit the sale and use of acetamiprid and flupyradifurone under Article 69 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, in the light of potential concerns that these substances may pose high risks to humans and the environment.
On 29 June 2020, the Netherlands notified the Commission of new information regarding the impact of flupyradifurone on the wild bee species Megachile rotundata, as it appears to be much more sensitive than the honey bee, the latter being the only bee species assessed in the approval dossier.
The Commission initiated a review of the approval of flupyradifurone under Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 in October 2022 requesting Bayer Crop Science AG to submit, by the end of 2022, all the data it holds on the effects of flupyradifurone on bees.
Following a mandate from the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published in 2022 a new statement on the active substance flupyradifurone highlighting that the initial risk assessment examined the effects of flupyradifurone solely on honey bees, and that the assessment was based on outdated methodological guidance.
The resolution stressed that the Commission should not propose to raise MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds while a new risk assessment still has not be conducted, in particular specific risk assessment for solitary bees.
Parliament considered it unacceptable that the Commission has extended the approval period of flupyradifurone until 2029 since it has not been tested on solitary bees and bumblebees, and there is currently a very large body of scientific literature on its toxicity to pollinators, thereby increasing the exposure of pollinators, especially as it is to be used in crops that are highly attractive to bees, such as rapeseed.
In addition to their toxicity to bees, the scientific literature shows that all neonicotinoids that were investigated pass the placental barrier and interact with foetus neurons.
Parliament opposed the adoption of the draft Commission regulation which seeks to increase the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds from 0.3 mg/kg to 0.4 mg/kg. It considered that it is not compatible with the aim and content of Regulations (EC) No 396/2005 and (EC) No 178/2002, as well as with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.
The Commission is called on to:
- apply the precautionary principle and to withdraw the draft regulation and submit a new one to the committee not modifying MRLs for flupyradifurone in rapeseeds;
- urgently speed up the review of the approval and not wait until June 2029 to review the authorisation of flupyradifurone;
- not to raise any MRLs for flupyradifurone while the procedure under Article 21 of Regulation No 1107/2009 is not finished, in particular new MRLs proposed by EFSA in its latest statement.