12.12.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 349/17 COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2006/131/EC of 11 December 2006 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include methamidophos as an active substance (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market ('), and in particular Article 6(1) thereof, Whereas: Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 of 11 December 1992 laying down the detailed rules for the implementation of the first stage of the programme of work referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414[EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (?), establishes a list of active substances to be assessed, with a view to their possible inclusion in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC. That list includes methamidophos. For methamidophos the effects on human health and the environment have been assessed in accordance with the provisions laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 for a range of uses proposed by the notifier. By Commission Regulation (EC) No 933/94 of 27 April 1994 laying down the active substances of plant protection products and designating the Rapporteur Member State for the implementation of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 (%), Italy was designated as Rapporteur Member State. Italy submitted on 30 July 1999 the relevant assessment report and recommen- dations to the Commission in accordance with Article 7(1)(c) of Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92. The assessment report has been reviewed by the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. () O] L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2006/85/EC (O] L 293, 24.10.2006, p. 3). (®» OJ L 366, 15.12.1992, p. 10. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 22662000 (O] L 259, 13.10.2000, p. 10). () OJ L 107, 28.4.1994, p. 8. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 2230/95 (O] L 225, 22.9.1995, p. 1). 4 The review of methamidophos revealed a number of open questions which were addressed by the Scientific Panel on Plant health, Plant protection products and their Residues (PPR) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The Scientific Panel was asked to define a value for the degree of dermal adsorption scientifically based on the different results of the studies submitted by the notifier to be used in the assessment of human risk arising from the dermal route of exposure. Moreover, the Scientific Panel was asked to review the estimates of avoidance, time spent foraging in treated areas and proportion of contaminated diet obtained in treated areas, and advise on their implications for estimates of acute, short and long term exposure of birds and mammals to the insecticide methamidophos. In its opinion on the first question the PPR Panel concluded (%) that, on the basis of the available data the best estimated dermal adsorption of the diluted preparation is considered to be about 5%. On the second question, the PPR Panel concentrated its assessment on two species considered by the notifier and Rapporteur Member State, yellow wagtail and wood mouse, as they make substantial use of the crops supported for methamidophos. The PPR  Panel disagreed (°) with the values proposed by the notifier and the Rapporteur Member State as regards the proportion of contaminated diet set for yellow wagtails and the estimates used in dietary composition for yellow wagtails and wood mouse. The PPR Panel noted that these values would underestimate acute exposure of indi- vidual animals. The PPR Panel developed an alternative approach for assessing the potential role of avoidance. The mechanisms involved are complex but it appears possible that both yellow wagtail and wood mouse might feed quickly enough for mortality to occur in field conditions. The PPR Panel identified several options for laboratory or field studies, which could be considered to assess these risks with more certainty. Articles 5(4) and 6(1) of Directive 91/414/EEC provide that inclusion of a substance in Annex I may be subject to restrictions and conditions. In this case, restrictions on the inclusion period and on the authorised crops are deemed necessary. The original measures presented to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal () Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Plant Health, Plant Protection Products and their Residues on a request from the Commission related to the evaluation of methamidophos in toxicology in the context of Council Directive 91/414/EEC (The EFSA Journal (2004), 95, 1 to 15). Adopted on 14 September 2004. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Plant Health, Plant Protection Products and their Residues on a request from the Commission related to the evaluation of methamidophos in ecotoxicology in the context of Council Directive 91/414/EEC (The EFSA Journal (2004), 144, 1 to 50). Adopted on 14 December 2004.