Pesticides: maximum levels of residue in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin (repeal. Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC, 90/642/EEC, amend. Directive 91/414/EEC)

The Commission is of the opinion that the common position represents a balanced further elaboration of the Commission proposal, where various provisions requested by the Council were included, and in which several of the 1st Reading amendments of the European Parliament have been taken into account. The roles and tasks of the Member States and the EFSA in the evaluation processes before MRL-setting by the Commission have been modified in the revised proposal. As the possibility is left open that, in a later stage - based on a report by the Commission and appropriate further proposals - this division of roles and tasks could revert to the original Commission proposal, the Commission can accept the changes. At the time of reaching the political agreement on the text, the Commission and the Council made declarations to ensure that EFSAs role is respected and that in a later stage the co-ordination of the work will be reviewed. Moreover, the Commission questions the appropriateness for the administrative review clause and stresses that it should not interfere with the independence of the EFSA in providing scientific advice and technical assistance. The remaining changes are acceptable to the Commission. Lastly, the Commission supports the Common Position adopted by the Council.