Government Affairs

NAVIGATING EU MRLS

TRYING TO HARMONIZE maximum residue limits (MRLs) is never easy. But with 27 member states making up the European Union, the process is even more complicated.

Dr. Phil Brindle with BASF Ag Products Div., who is responsible for global MRLs and import tolerances for BASF products, provided an overview of the intricacies of setting and harmonizing MRLs during a session at the recent Almond Industry Conference.

An MRL is the legally allowed tolerance for a pesticide which might remain on feed or food. Use of good agricultural practices (GAPs) including pesticide application timing, help to minimize potential residues. Countries establish different MRLs because use patterns and regulatory priorities vary from country to country, making global harmonization of an MRL extremely difficult.

Dr. Brindle pointed out that an MRL is often not a human safety issue but a trade issue. Nevertheless he warned that producing countries need to be mindful of the MRLs established in importing countries, since shipping product with a higher residue level could result in the rejection of the shipment, the handler/shipper not being paid, a regulatory action or a supply contract being canceled.

Many thanks to BASF, the Almond Industry Conference platinum sponsor, for its part in making this event possible.