EU Regulation 396/2005/EC, fixing pan-EU harmonised maximum pesticide residue levels (MRLs) in or on fruits and vegetables, fully entered into force on Monday.

The move has been welcomed by European fresh produce trade association Freshfel. Frederic Rosseneu, Freshfel’s food safety adviser, said: “September 1, 2008 marks a milestone in the European fresh produce trade, as more than 15 years after the introduction of the single market, the myriad of MRLs applicable across the entire EU and their constant modification finally belong to the past.”

The harmonisation exercise and the scientific assessments behind the work by the European Food Safety Authority provide an excellent opportunity for food policy authorities to restore their credibility following numerous derogatory NGO campaigns, said Freshfel.

“Too often consumers wrongly assume that their health is at risk because they misconstrue MRLs as safety standards that are set to protect their health, while in fact MRLs are trading standards. Freshfel has been co-ordinating numerous efforts with other food chain partners to initiate and improve public communication on the sensitive issue of pesticide residues,” said the body in a statement.

The European Commission has also launched a communications tool parallel with the entry into force of the MRL harmonisation. “Besides a re-vamped website and a fact-sheet, a user-friendly online database has been developed, providing much-needed transparency both to industry and consumers,” said Freshfel.

A transition period has been foreseen to ensure that all crops that have been treated before September 1 can still legally be sold on the market after that date.

The EU Commission services aims to answer any surrounding questions in a comprehensive question and answer sheet during the course of September.

Freshfel is hopeful that the EU MRL-harmonisation will increase consumer confidence in the safety rules adopted by legislation and further stimulate consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.

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