Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware of the report of Bloom on mercury in canned tuna. As the Commission pointed out in its reply to Written Question E-002835/2024[1], Maximum Levels (MLs) for mercury in several fish species were revised based on the most recent occurrence data, which showed that there was no margin to further reduce the ML for tuna .
A ccording to the available official control data, Member States have not identified cases of non-compliance with the maximum level of 1.0 mg/kg for mercury in canned tuna.
The Mercury Regulation[2] mirrors the objective of the Minamata Convention which aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury.
By addressing the whole life cycle of mercury from primary mining to its final disposal as waste, the regulation contributes to the reduction of mercury in the marine environment. The revised Regulation[3] strengthens measures to reduce the use of mercury thereby, reducing releases of mercury to water.
The Marine Strategy Framework[4] and the Water Framework Directives[5] require Member States to achieve good status of their waters. To implement these Directives, Member States are required to monitor and take measures to ensure that the concentrations of contaminants, including mercury, are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects in the marine and coastal environments.
The Commission follows the implementation of these laws closely. The Commission proposed[6] in 2022 to tighten the environmental quality standard for mercury in surface waters.
- [1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2024-002835_EN.html
- [2] Regulation (EU) 2017/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 on mercury, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1102/2008, OJ L 137, 24.5.2017, p. 1-21.
- [3] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/revised-mercury-regulation-enters-force-2024-07-30_en
- [4] Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy, OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19-40.
- [5] Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1-73.
- [6] https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/proposal-amending-water-directives_en