The European Parliament adopted by 415 votes to 252, with 20 abstentions, a resolution objecting to the draft Commission implementing regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances beflubutamid, benalaxyl, benthiavalicarb, bifenazate, boscalid, bromoxynil, captan, cyazofamid, dimethomorph, ethephon, etoxazole, famoxadone, fenamiphos, flumioxazine, fluoxastrobin, folpet, formetanate, metribuzin, milbemectin, Paecilomyces lilacinus strain 251, phenmedipham, phosmet, pirimiphos-methyl, propamocarb, prothioconazole and Smetolachlor.

Parliament considered that the draft Commission implementing regulation exceeds the implementing powers provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 and that it does not respect the precautionary principle. It strongly denounced the serious delays in the reauthorisation process and in the identification of endocrine disrupting substances.

It considered that the decision to extend the approval period for flumioxazine again 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 flumioxazine is highly toxic to algae and aquatic plants, and is moderately toxic to earthworms, honeybees, fish and aquatic invertebrates. It is unacceptable that a substance which currently meets the cut-off criteria for active substances that are mutagenic, carcinogenic and/or toxic for reproduction, and which is likely to meet the cut-off criteria due to its endocrine disrupting properties, continues to be allowed for use in the Union, putting public and environmental health at risk.

In view of these elements, Parliament called on the Commission to:

- withdraw its draft implementing regulation 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;

- 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 approval of the active substance concerned;

- 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 should ensure the proper and timely reassessment of the approvals 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.