EU tightens inspections on Vietnamese durians over pesticide violations

Vietnamese durians are now subject to 20% border inspection in the EU after exceeding pesticide residue limits, prompting stricter compliance measures.

The European Union (EU) has increased the frequency of inspections on Vietnamese durians after detecting excessive pesticide residues. This decision comes as part of stricter measures to ensure compliance with EU safety regulations.

The Vietnam SPS Office (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) recently informed the Plant Protection Department and the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association about updates to Regulation (EU) 2019/1793.

On December 19, the Vietnam SPS Office received notification from the SPS/WTO Committee Secretariat regarding the EU's issuance of Regulation (EU) 2024/3153 on December 18, 2024.

The updated regulation temporarily strengthens official controls and emergency measures for specific goods imported into the EU from certain third countries, including agricultural products from Vietnam.

For Vietnamese durians, the EU has temporarily raised inspection frequency at its borders from 10% to 20%.

The increased scrutiny stems from non-compliance with EU pesticide residue regulations. Authorities detected high levels of several pesticides on Vietnamese durians, including Carbendazim, Fipronil, Azoxystrobin, Dimethomorph, Metalaxyl, Lambda-cyhalothrin, and Acetamiprid.

EU standards mandate maximum residue limits (MRLs) ranging from 0.005 to 0.1 mg/kg, depending on the substance. However, violations in Vietnamese durians ranged from 0.021 to 6.3 mg/kg, exceeding permissible levels.

While the inspection frequency for Vietnamese durians has increased, other agricultural products such as dragon fruit, chili peppers, and okra remain under their current inspection rates.

Dragon fruit: 30% inspection frequency.

Chili peppers and okra: 50% inspection frequency.

These products must include pesticide residue analysis results with their shipments when imported into the EU.

The SPS Office noted that the EU reviews compliance with its food safety regulations every six months. Based on the results, the EU may adjust border inspection frequencies for specific products.