EU phase-out schedule set for two ais

The European Commission has instructed EU member states to withdraw approvals by February 17th 2010 for petroleum oils and paraffin oil (CAS 64742-54-7), which are used as insecticides. Existing stocks may be sold and used for up to one year from this date. The EU authorities decided not to re-register the active ingredients earlier this year ( Agrow No 564, p 12). The evaluation indicated that they could have harmful effects on consumers and operators, the Commission says. The oils were in the fourth round of the EU review of existing ais.