EFSA engages with stakeholders on aquatic ecotoxicology guidance

Info Session on Applications - Pesticides - Workshop with stakeholders on EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) “Guidance Document on tiered risk assessment for plant protection products for aquatic organisms in edge-of-field surface waters”

EFSA held a meeting with around 50 specialists in the field of pesticides to present and explain its recently published guidance document on aquatic ecotoxicology. The Authority also discussed key issues raised during the public consultation on the draft guidance which took place from December 2012 to February 2013.

Delegates from industry, NGOs, Member State authorities and the European Commission were welcomed to the event by Luc Mohimont, deputy head of the EFSA’s Pesticides Unit, and Karine Lheureux, head of the Applications Desk Unit.

The Info Session began with EFSA providing an overview of the revised guidance - Tiered risk assessment for plant protection products for aquatic organisms in edge-of-field surface water – which was published in July 2013.

Dr Theo Brock and Dr Daniel Pickford, from EFSA’s Panel on Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR), led a number of interactive sessions that detailed the scientific approach and associated methodology of the guidance. Particular focus was given to the refined tiered risk assessment approach outlined in the document. The experts also gave presentations on the risk assessment of active substances and metabolites. Participants had the opportunity to provide feedback on the guidance document and take full part in discussions following the presentations.

In summarising the event, Mr Mohimont described the open and fruitful discussions as useful for EFSA’s work and thanked the delegates for their active and constructive contribution.

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