Overview of the JMPR estimation of MRLs for pesticide residues

Yong Zhen Yang

FAO Secretariat of JMPR

Overview of the JMPR estimation of MRLs

for pesticide residues

Role and function of JMPR FAO panel in establishment of Codex MRLs for pesticide residues

JMPR Procedures for estimating MRLs

Impact of JMPR assessment on the overall establishment of MRLs

Challenges in the process and methodology for estimation of international MRLs

Role and function of the JMPR FAO panel in establishment of Codex MRLs

JMPR is a international expert scientific group administered jointly by FAO and WHO since 1963

Members are invited by WHO and FAO as experts in their independent and personal capacity

Agenda based on the priority list proposed by Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

Meetings are ad hoc (meet only when needed)

Meetings are closed sessions to avoid external influences

Role and function of the JMPR FAO panel in establishment of Codex MRLs

The FAO Panel is responsible for

reviewing pesticide use patterns (GAPs), data on the chemistry and environmental fate, metabolism in farm animals and crops, methods of analysis for pesticide residues and processing studies

defining residues for enforcement of MRLs and for dietary risk assessment purposes

estimating maximum residue levels, supervised trials median residue values (STMRs) and highest residues (HRs) in food and feed commodities

assessing dietary risk from short and long term intake of pesticides

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs

Data Requirements ---Residues Physical and chemical properties of pesticides Metabolism in crops and animals Storage stability tests. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)/ use pattern/

authorized labels Supervised trials Processing Studies Monitoring data (species, EMRL)

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs

JMPR recommendations are based on ‘supervised trials’ which are designed to reflect pesticide use patterns that lead to the highest expectable residues.

The MRLs are estimated based on a set of supervised trials selected by the FAO Panel to represent the ‘critical GAP’

Selection of appropriate residue data for calculation of MRLs. The selection of residues is supported by statistical tests.

The OECD MRL calculator is used as a tool to assist arriving at preferably the same MRL estimates by different parties based on the same residue data

JMPR recommends the estimated maximum residue levels as MRLs (maximum residue limits) only if the risk assessment passes both the chronic and short-term intake hurdles

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs

JMPR

FAO Panel

Workflow

•Prepare Appraisal (report)

•Evaluate monograph for the 2-3 assigned compounds for each expert including one full evaluation

•Interact electronically with the company and WHO expert

•Communicate internally in the panel to reach agreement in new or update principles

Before the meeting

(Dec. – Aug.)

• Pre-meeting: Discuss draft appraisals and evaluation monographs

•Joint Meeting: Reconsidered by whole panel

•Final Plenary joint meeting: Final report and evaluation monograph adopted

Pre-meeting + Joint meeting

(Sep.)

•October – Summary report published online (Call for data for the next JMPR issued)

•January – Full report published online

•March – Evaluation monograph published online

After meeting (Oct./Jan./Mar.)

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs

JMPR Procedures of estimating MRLs Outcomes of residue assessment

Residue Definition

-- Relevant for risk assessment

– Relevant for monitoring

Maximum Residue Level (MRL)

– Proposed standard for agricultural commodity

Standard Trial Median Residue (STMR) :

– Used in chronic dietary exposure assessment

Highest Residue in the edible portion (HR):

– Used in short-term dietary exposure assessment

Impact of JMPR assessment on the overall establishment of MRLs

The work of the JMPR and CCPR serve an important role for the safety of the consumer, but also for the facilitation of world trade of food commodities.

JMPR recommendations are the basis for the establishment of Codex MRLs which are referenced by WTO under the SPS and TBT agreement as the international standards in food and feed moving in international trade.

MRLs are legal limits with serious consequence of noncompliance, the estimated MRLs should be fit for purpose.

the JMPR procedures/methodologies and outcomes (appraisal, evaluation monographs) are valuable to regulatory authorities and other interested specialists

Challenges in establishment of international MRLs

Resource constraints

- Data generation for the review of JMPR

- Funding for support of the JMPR Secretariat and meeting

- Sustainability of JMPR expertise

Principles on combining global residue datasets and on extrapolation

Estimation of crop group MRLs

Harmonization of methodologies for risk assessment

Thank you for your attention