Maleic Hydrazide

Removal of the restriction on feeding livestock with produce which has been treated with maleic hydrazide

AIC has received confirmation from CRD of their decision, with immediate effect, to remove the restriction on feeding livestock with produce which has been treated with maleic hydrazide, including potatoes and potato products.

CRD contacted stakeholders with an update and an apology that the decision has taken some time though at the same time acknowledging that the issues raised required careful consideration.

CRD state:

‘’You will be aware that the restriction was included in the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1506 to address uncertainty over the toxicity and genotoxicity of the metabolite 3-pyridazinone. It refers to authorised products and requires that:

Member States shall ensure, where appropriate, that the label of the treated crops includes the indication that the crops were treated with maleic hydrazide, and the accompanying instructions to avoid exposure of the livestock.

This restriction was included because of concerns over potential risks to consumers from the metabolite 3-pyridazinone. The conclusion of the European Food Safety Authority of June 2016 found no evidence that this metabolite would pose a health risk. Rather, there were insufficient data to conclude definitively that there is no risk. Data requirements were set to enable the assessment to be completed and some of these data have already been generated and submitted.

We have reviewed the evidence and consider that reliable predictions can be made on the basis of the original data package, supported by the data which were recently made available. We consider that neither maleic hydrazide nor 3-pyridazinone raise concerns regarding genotoxicity, acute toxicity or chronic toxicity. Our risk assessment concludes that there are no safety concerns for consumers from the metabolite. Consequently, there is no benefit from imposing the livestock feeding restriction on products containing maleic hydrazide.

The Commission has confirmed that the words ‘where appropriate’, which are included in the conditions of approval, should be read broadly and that it is for member States to determine whether it is appropriate to apply the restriction at all when authorising products. In light of our risk assessment and the notifier’s commitment to complete the data package, we have concluded that it is not appropriate to apply the restriction.

On this basis, HSE has further amended relevant product authorisations to remove the livestock feeding restriction with immediate effect.’’

The amended product authorisations are attached to this briefing.

This decision is clearly very welcome, not only for the livestock, feed and former food processing sectors but also for potato growers, packers, processors and the crop protection industry.

AIC and UKFFPA have been pleased to be part of an effective industry stakeholder alliance which has contributed greatly to today’s positive outcome.