Brussels, 12/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - In a new scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) confirmed that due to the lack of sufficient data provided by the industry, the health risks to consumers from the dimethoate insecticide cannot be ruled out.
This recommendation backs the opinion expressed by the French authorities. On Monday 11 April, they announced the beginning of talks with the Commission on how this insecticide should be tackled but which is, however, very efficient in the treatment of cherries attacked by the Drosophila Suzukii fly. France, however, would like this insecticide to be banned throughout the EU, as it already is in France, so that its farmers are not penalised.
In a press release, the French Minister for Agriculture, Stephane Le Foll, stated "Given this opinion and the risks that have not been ruled out to consumers and the need for producers to treat orchards with authorised products as soon as possible, France and the Commission made a commitment today to holding discussions on taking the most appropriate decision to avoid any distortion to competition, by the end of the week at a European level". He also announced that a meeting would be taken with sector professionals as soon as possible in an effort to look at the impact that this decision could have.
EFSA's scientific recommendation was requested by the European Commission after it had been urged by France on 29 March last to immediately introduce a ban throughout the EU on this insecticide already banned in France. It has been banned for reasons relating to food safety and despite the risks that this decision could have on distorting competition. France also requested measures to ban imports of cherries from countries where the substance is authorised (see EUROPE 11521). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)