On 21 and 22 October, the national representatives of the PAFF committee are invited to vote on the renewal of two active substances with well-known disruptive properties (Cypermethrin) or highly suspected (Flumioxazin).
Salome Roynel, campaigner at PAN Europe said, “These two substances clearly do not meet the approval criteria to remain on the European market. With these two proposals, DG SANTE is flouting both its legal and political commitments.”
According to Regulation (EC) 1107/2009[1], an active substance cannot be proposed for renewal if its endocrine disrupting properties cannot be ruled out with certainty. The existence of scientific evidence of endocrine disruption should, therefore, be sufficient to ban the substance without further risk assessment.
Since the adoption of the scientific criteria for the identification of endocrine disrupting properties in 2018 (Reg. (EU) 2018/605), there has been a recurring pattern with the EU regulators and decision-makers: with the excuse that more data is needed by EFSA to reach its conclusions on endocrine properties, these toxic substances have been continuously prolonged on the market until their proposed renewal, for this same reason of a persistent lack of data.
In the case of these two renewal proposals of the European Commission, it would then be up to the applicants to provide this data in the next two years following the renewal of Flumioxazin (for 15 years) and Cypermethrin (7 years).
Salome Roynel further said, “It is an insane and vicious circle maintained by industry, EFSA and DG SANTE, which leaves EU citizens unprotected. The chances of this product being withdrawn from the market after two more years are almost non-existent, it is a blank cheque given to the industry.”
Cypermethrin and Flumioxazin are just the tip of the iceberg as a considerable number of substances are concerned. But this situation could be resolved very quickly by taking into account independent studies and respecting the precautionary principle where a doubt remains.
Salome Roynel concluded, “This would mean taking a strong stand and that is exactly what we are calling for here: Member States needs to take a clear stand against these renewals “to ensure that endocrine disruptors are recognised in a timely manner and that exposure of humans, and the environment is minimised” as stated in the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability.”
Cypermethrin is also known to be highly toxic to bees. Flumioxazin is classified as reproductive toxicant and highly toxic to aquatic species, with long term effects.
Read our letters which call upon the member states to oppose the renewal of Flumioxazin and Cypermethrin.
Contact: PAN Europe, Salome Roynel, +32 2 318 62 55, salome [at] pan-europe.info
[1] Article 4(1) and points 3.6.5 and 3.8.2. of Annex II of Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2209.
