EU cereal producers face impact from reduced toxin limits, warns MEP

Reducing the maximum level allowed for mycotoxins in cereals, substances produced by fungi that can harm human health if consumed in sufficient quantities, could cost European cereal producers dearly, warned French Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Anne Sander, on Wednesday (29 May).

Sander, a European People’s Party (EPP) MEP, wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging a revision of the limits set by the regulation, which is due to come into force in July, or an exemption for farmers this year.

“I would like to draw your attention to the difficulties that many farmers, and more specifically cereal growers, currently experience, particularly in France, with regards to the regulations on the presence of mycotoxins in cereals,” wrote Sander.

The development of these toxins is linked to the humidity conditions during the cereals’ growth, exacerbated by the heavy rainfall currently affecting several French regions.

In 2017, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two opinions warning about the excess of exposure EU citizens of all ages to certain mycotoxins.

In 2024 the EU adopted two regulations to reduce health risks for consumers. These set maximum levels for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins at 50 micrograms per kilogram and lowered the maximum levels for DON toxin in unprocessed cereals from 1250 to 1000 micrograms per kilogram, effective from July.

The MEP argues that the new limits would be “unsustainable” for farmers.

“[Farmers] will have no choice but to sacrifice part of their harvest or increase their use of phytosanitary products, just when they are trying to reduce their use,” Sander stated. “This is not acceptable.”

[Edited by Angelo Di Mambro/Rajnish Singh]

Read more with Euractiv

After protests German farmers remain 'very dissatisfied' with federal government

January farmers' rallies in Germany marked the beginning of European demonstrations, but while they have largely ebbed away, growers remain unsatisfied with how the national government works.