(1)

T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin are mycotoxins produced by various Fusarium species. T-2 toxin is rapidly metabolised to a large number of products, HT-2 toxin being a major metabolite.

(2)

The Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted an opinion on a request from the Commission related on the risks for animal and public health related to the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in food and feed (1).

(3)

The CONTAM Panel established a group tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 100 ng/kg b.w. for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins. Estimates of chronic human dietary exposure to the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins based on the available occurrence data are below the TDI for populations of all age groups, and thus not an immediate health concern.

(4)

As regards the animal health risk, the CONTAM Panel concluded that for ruminants, rabbits and fish, the current estimated exposure to T-2 and HT-2 toxin is considered unlikely to be a health concern. For pigs, poultry, horses and dogs, the estimates of exposure to T-2 and HT-2 toxin indicate that the risk of adverse health effects is low. Cats are amongst the most sensitive animal species. Due to the limited data and the severe adverse health effects at low dose levels, no NOAEL or LOAEL could be established. Therefore this Recommendation is not of application for feed for cats, for which stricter measures will be established.

(5)

The CONTAM Panel further concluded that the carry-over of T-2 and HT-2 toxins from feed to food products of animal origin is limited and hence contributes only to a negligible extent to human exposure.

(6)

Taking into account the conclusions of the scientific opinion, together with the large year to year variation in occurrence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin, it is appropriate to collect more data on T-2 and HT-2 in cereals and cereal products and more information on the effects of food processing (i.e. cooking) and agronomic factors on the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin. Furthermore, it is necessary to obtain more information on the different factors which lead to relative high levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products in order to be able to identify the measures to be taken to avoid or to reduce the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products. Investigations have to be undertaken in order to collect information on the factors resulting in relative high levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products and on the effects of feed and food processing. Based on the available data, T-2 and HT-2 do not occur or only in very low levels in rice and rice products and therefore it is appropriate to exclude these products from the scope of this Recommendation.

(7)

The results of monitoring of cereals and cereal products will be used to assess changes and trends in human and animal exposure to T-2 and HT-2 toxin. It is therefore appropriate to use methods of analysis with a sufficient sensitivity.

(8)

To provide orientation in which cases it would be appropriate to perform such investigations, it is appropriate to provide indicative values above which such investigations would be appropriate. To determine these indicative values the occurrence data available in the EFSA database have been used. To perform the investigations traceability is of major importance.

(9)

In 2015 an assessment of the gathered information in the frame of this Recommendation should be undertaken. The monitoring data obtained as a result of this Recommendation will also enable a better understanding of the year–to-year variance and the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in the wide range of cereal products the factors resulting in higher levels and the measures which could be taken to prevent the presence or mitigate the presence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, including through agronomic factors and through processing,