Background Paper
SUMMARY OF CODEX ALIMENTARIUS ISSUES
VIII. CODEX COMMITTEE ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES (CCPR)
May 1 - 8, 2000
1. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLS)
The Committee debated and/or made recommendations for over 600
individual proposed MRLs or established Codex limits for approximately
60 pesticides. Some proposed MRLs were retained at current steps
pending receipt of further information or further review by the
JMPR. Others were advanced to the next step, or in some cases advanced
through the fast track process. Over 70 existing CXLs were recommended
for deletion at this or the next meeting due to non-support or insufficient
support. Over 40 proposed MRLs were withdrawn (mostly for oxydemeton-methyl).
2. Additional Safety Factors for Children
The WHO Secretariat confirmed that the JMPR did not support "routine"
use of additional safety factors beyond those normally used in risk
assessment, although additional safety factors are applied as needed.
He considered the "routine" application of such factors
in a precautionary sense to be a risk management decision beyond
the risk assessment role of JMPR. The Committee suggested that a
CL be issued, asking governments to provide information on how this
issue is handled on the national level.
3. Acute Intake Assessment
International Estimates of Short-term Intake (IESTI's) were estimated
for the first time by the 1999 JMPR. They were based on acute reference
doses, use of 97.5 percentile consumption and large portion sizes
from several countries. A global data base had been compiled by
WHO. MRLs and related risk assessments will be considered at the
2001 CCPR.
The Committee discussed the merits of the 1999 JMPR approaches
for acute intake assessments and what risk management options should
be followed by the CCPR. One option under consideration is not to
advance MRLs when the IESTI exceeds the acute reference dose (ARfD).
This option is similar to current CCPR procedure when the chronic
dietary intakes exceed the ADI. The proposed option for acute intake
assessments also raised similar concerns as does the procedure for
chronic intakes, i.e. concerns of unnecessary trade problems due
to likely overestimates of exposure due to limitations of the international
methodology compared to methodology at the national level. The latter
often will show there is no safety problem when the less refined
international methodology indicates there may be unacceptable exposure.
The Committee decided among other things to endorse the JMPR methodology
on an interim basis, to request the JMPR to further refine the methodology
and to request inputs from governments on the JMPR methodology.
The Committee decided it was premature to hold a proposed expert
consultation to address these issues, pending submission of data
to be requested from governments.
4. GEMS "Cluster Diets"
Currently the JMPR bases estimates of international pesticide chronic
dietary intake on 5 regional diets based on FAO food balance sheets.
Under consideration is a new set of international diets (up to 13)
based on statistical methods, which better correlate consumption
among the regions. Generally the Committee (including the U.S.)
endorsed the methodology, but questioned the need for expanding
the number of diets too much. The Committee also requested that
non-statistical factors be taken into account after the initial
clustering before finalizing the diets, but no commitment was made
to that end so far. The Committee requested WHO to prepare some
examples of how the clustering would impact exposure assessments
and invite JMPR to comment on its use.
5. Feasibility of Establishing MRLs for Genetically Modified
Crops
Discussion was based on a paper drafted by Canada to which the
U.S. contributed. It proposed a case-by-case approach to setting
MRLs, but did not support separate definitions for GMO's in addition
to those for traditional crops. The Committee decided to invite
JMPR comment on the Canadian paper, to solicit information on national
approaches and invited industry to develop common moiety methods
when required. Canada will compile responses for consideration at
the next session.
6. Feasibility of Establishing MRLs for Cereal-based Foods
and Infant Formula
The U.S. contributed to a paper prepared by the German delegation
in response to a request to the CCPR from the CCNFSDU. The Committee
agreed that proposed interim MRLs at "a low level" were
not supported and also that establishment of MRLs for cereal-based
foods and infant formula is not feasible at this time. The Committee
also agreed to invite the JMPR to give an updated view on the data
bases needed for assessing risks to children and infants, including
cumulative risk issues. A CL will be issued requesting governments
for information on national approaches, and which compounds were
of particular concern.
7. Next Meeting
2-7 April 2001, The Hague.
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