The activities of the Networks of the Pesticides Unit during the 2012-2014 mandates
Meta data
Abstract
EFSA has established two Networks with Member State organisations in the area of pesticides:
- the Pesticide Steering Committee (PSC ), which was established to manage and plan the overall pesticide risk assessment programme and consider ways to further streamline the process;
- the Networking Group on Pesticide Monitoring, which is intended to strengthen the collaboration between Member States, the countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which have an obligation to submit results of their national pesticide monitoring programmes, the European Commission and EFSA.
The mandates of the EFSA pesticides networks were renewed in May 2011 for a period of 3 years. For the purpose of implementation of the reporting provisions the activities of the networks between January 2012 and May 2014 are presented in this technical report.
The PSC has played an essential role in planning and monitoring the risk assessment programme of pesticides active substances under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and the transition from Directive 91/414/EEC processes. The submission of MRL applications as part of the active substance approval application under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and the classification of the active substance under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, have been also extensively discussed by the PSC.
The Networking Group on Pesticide Monitoring has been the key consultation forum for all matters related to pesticide residues monitoring covered by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The main activity of the network has focused on the data collection, including the consultation on the annual guidance, and the preparation of the Annual Report. In addition, the network has discussed methodological approaches regarding the use of the collected data in consumer risk assessment.
Both networks have highly contributed to the coordination of the activities of EFSA and the Member States regarding the risk assessment of pesticides and pesticide monitoring, respectively.