Maximum residue limits rules setted for fumigants

The European Commission has established a list of post-harvest fumigant treatments that will be exempt from new EU maximum residue limits (MRLs). The list forms part of the new Annex VII of the EU pesticide MRL Regulation (396/2005) and aims to prevent trade disruption of stored products that have undergone post-harvest treatment with fumigants.

Annex VII currently lists hydrogen phosphide, aluminium phosphide and magnesium phosphide for use on fruit, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and oil fruits, cereals, tea, coffee, herbal infusions, cocoa and spices, and sulfuryl fluoride for use on fruit and cereals. The active ingredient/commodity combinations in the Annex are covered by a derogation that allows EU member states to authorise residue levels from post-harvest treatments that exceed EU MRLs.

The new Annex was approved by the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in February. It comes into force on April 8th and represents a further step towards the full implementation of Regulation 396/2005.