EFSA clarifies neonicotinoid conclusions in light of new data

EFSA’s risk assessment for the use of thiamethoxam on sunflower seeds in Greece has been revised after the Greek reporting authority advised EFSA that the application rate it submitted was too high. Syngenta – which manufactures the pesticide containing the active substance, Cruiser 600FS – confirmed that the data it sent to the Greek authority was inaccurate. For the use of treated sunflower seeds authorised in Greece, the outcome of the acute risk assessment from dust exposure Concentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time has therefore been changed from “risk identified” to an “issue that could not be finalised”.

Kemi, the Swedish Chemicals Agency, has also advised EFSA that it mistakenly submitted data for two pesticides – Cruiser 600FS and Cruiser OSR – that are not authorised for use in Sweden. The references to these two products have been removed from the risk assessment.

• Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for bees for the active substance thiamethoxam