Hi Flanker,
I agree, it makes no sense that there is a limit for initial and no limit for renewal.-
Just so you know, JAA is not the only one to put limits. Here in Mexico there is still a -3 limit, in Canada -3.5 and several other countries also still have this.
Many have changed this limit since ICAO changed their recommendation on this back in 2001, but not every one has adopted this change
.
Best,
Arturo