Maximum residue limit (MRL) harmonisation in the European Union comes into force today (1 September), with the European Crop Protection Agency (ECPA) hailing its implementation as a positive move.
The introduction of EU regulation 396/2005 is designed to enhance transparency and eliminate trade barriers that can exist when different nations employ individual MRLs – trading standards on pesticide limits that can vary from country to country.
In a group statement, the ECPA said that the new legislation would help ensure a plentiful and varied suppy of fresh produce to EU citizens, while improving access to the European market for third country products.
'European consumers can be reassured about the high quality and safety of food placed on the EU market,' said Friedhelm Schmider, director general at the ECPA. 'Scientific evidence shows that the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables far outweigh any concerns about pesticide residues.'
However, Greenpeace has expressed concerns that the move could push pesticide residue limits above safe levels in fruit and vegetables, while Spanish fresh produce export association Fepex said that theintroduction of harmonisation could discriminate against thecountry’s fruit and vegetable producers and hand foreign exporters acompetitive advantage.
