The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that raising the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the pesticide acequinocyl in celeries, Florence fennel and rhubarb from 0.01 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg poses no risk to consumers, according to a reasoned opinion published on 27 July 2026. The application, submitted by Agro-Kanesho, targets northern European uses of the active substance on these stem vegetables.
EFSA's assessment found that the submitted residue trials and analytical methods are sufficient to support the proposed MRLs, and that short-term and long-term dietary exposure remains within safe limits — the highest estimated intake was 9% of the acceptable daily intake. However, the authority flagged that uncertainties remain due to data gaps identified in the ongoing review of existing EU MRLs under Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, and that the conclusions may need to be revisited once the renewal of acequinocyl's approval under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 is completed. The opinion also noted that a new metabolism study on hops, submitted to cover leafy crops, was insufficient to fully characterise metabolism across the entire leafy crop group, but that for the specific stem crops in question, further data are not required at this stage.
The application was submitted through EFSA's Central Submission System on 13 September 2024, declared admissible by the German evaluating member state on 7 May 2025, and followed by a public consultation from 26 May 2025 to 16 June 2026. The European Commission mandated EFSA to assess the application on 2 March 2026. The proposed MRL increase will benefit growers of these crops in northern Europe, who will have greater flexibility in pest control, while consumers face negligible additional risk. The decision also sets a precedent for future MRL modifications for stem vegetables within the leafy crop group, though broader extrapolation will depend on the outcome of the active substance renewal process.