The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is recommending lower maximum residue levels (MRLs) for several active substances used in pesticides.

The European Commission asked EFSA to conduct the risk assessment as it was felt there could be possible safety concerns for human health.

An EFSA spokesperson said: “EFSA proposed to lower MRLs where safety concerns were identified and also for substances where data available was not sufficient to substantiate the safety of the current MRL.

“In addition, for active substances not authorised in the EU but which may be found as residues, for instance on or in imported food and feed, EFSA recommended that MRLs be set at the lowest level which can be measured through routine monitoring, in line with usual community practice.”

The European Commission had asked EFSA to assess the safety of existing MRLs for 15 active substances used in pesticides and, taking into account EFSA’s scientific advice, may propose to amend or remove the relevant MRL.

Hubert Deluyker, EFSA’s director of scientific cooperation and assistance, said: “EFSA is co-ordinating the review of MRLs for more than 300 active substances. We began this work in 2008 and aim to complete it by the end of 2010. In addition, from 2009, EFSA will also provide on an annual basis a report of actual consumer exposure to pesticides.”

A full list of the substances is available at www.efsa.europa.eu