The European Parliament adopted by 402 votes to 222, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/707 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances alphacypermethrin, beflubutamid, benalaxyl, benthiavalicarb, bifenazate, boscalid, bromoxynil, captan, cyazofamid, desmedipham, dimethoate, dimethomorph, diuron, ethephon, etoxazole, famoxadone, fenamiphos, flumioxazine, fluoxastrobin, folpet, foramsulfuron, formetanate, metalaxyl-m, methiocarb, metribuzin, milbemectin, Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251, phenmedipham, phosmet, pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb, prothioconazole, s-metolachlor and tebuconazole.

Parliament considered that Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/707 does not respect the precautionary principle. According to Members, the decision to Considers that the decision to extend the approval period for flumioxazine is not in line with the safety criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, and is based neither on evidence that this substance can safely be used, nor on a proven urgent need for the active substance flumioxazine for food production in the Union.

In support of its objection, Parliament stated that, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, flumioxazine has a harmonised classification of toxic for reproduction category 1B, very toxic to aquatic life and very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

In addition, the European Food Safety Authority concluded already in 2014, and subsequently in 2017 and 2018, that there were critical areas of concern as flumioxazine is classified under reproductive toxicity category 1B and also that the potential endocrine disruption of flumioxazine was an issue that could not be finalised and a critical area of concern.

Members considered it is unacceptable that a substance which is known to meet the cut-off criteria for active substances that are mutagenic, carcinogenic and/or toxic for reproduction or that have endocrine-disrupting properties, which are set to protect human and environmental health, continues to be allowed for use in the Union, putting public and environmental health at risk.

In view of these elements, Parliament asked the Commission to:

- to repeal Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/707 and to submit a new draft to the committee that takes into account the scientific evidence on the harmful properties of all the substances concerned, especially those of flumioxazine;

- to present draft implementing regulations to extend the approval periods of substances for which the current state of science is not expected to lead to a Commission proposal for non-renewal of the authorisation of the active substance concerned;

- to withdraw the approvals for substances if proof or reasonable doubt exists that they will not meet the safety criteria laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.

Member States are required to ensure the proper and timely reassessment of the authorisations of the active substances for which they are the reporting Member States and to ensure that the current delays are solved effectively as soon as possible.