Guidelines for THC in the EU and a new THC risk assessment
22.9.2020
Question for written answer E-005163/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Robert Biedroń (S&D)
The European hemp sector has grown at an impressive rate in the past few decades, mainly driven by small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the food and food supplement market.
Hemp flower extract and hempseed products contain important phytochemicals that can contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. However, a small amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) remains even after the most careful cleaning process, it being a natural component of hemp. Maintaining a safe level of this contaminant is necessary to ensure the health of European consumers.
The European Union has established a threshold of 0.001 mg/kg per body weight, well below those of other countries such as Canada (0.014 mg/kg bw), Switzerland (0.007 mg/kg bw) and New Zealand (0.006 mg/kg bw).
In the light of above, I would like to ask:
- 1.why the guidelines used in the EU differ so significantly from those of other countries;
- 2.if the Commission is planning to review the threshold and ask the European Food Safety Authority to conduct a new risk assessment?