Aldicarb is an existing active substance in the context of the Directive 91/414/EEC on the placing of plant protection products on the market. As plant protection product it is effective against insects, nematodes and mites by contact and ingestion and is applied to the soil. It is authorised for use in certain Member States on a wide range of fruit, vegetable, ornamental and other non-food crops.

In the framework of the the gradual examination of the active substances contained in the pesticides, the Commission undertook consultations with experts of the Member States and with the main notifier. The Scientific Committee for Plants was also consulted. The Committee noted a risk to small birds and was not able to fully assess impact on other non-target organisms on the basis of the available data.

Assessments made on the basis of all the information submitted have not demonstrated that, under the proposed conditions of use, it may be expected that plant protection products containing aldicarb satisfy the safety requirements of Directive 91/414/EEC, in particular for small birds and earthworms.

The Commission therefore proposed not to include aldicarb in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC and to withdraw authorisations for plant protection products containing this active substance (see COM(2002) 734 final).

The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health failed to deliver a favourable opinion on this Commission proposal on 18 October 2002. The Commission therefore refered the proposed measures to the Council.