EU to Harmonize Residue Rules

BRUSSELS - Dec 15/04 - SNS -- The European Parliament amended a Regulation with the goal of harmonizing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in food products across the European Community.

The amendments are also approved by the Council, which will enable the final adoption of the Regulation by Council in the next few months.

Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, welcomed the vote, marking agreement between the Commission, Council and Parliament. "This legislation provides for Europe-wide limits for pesticide residues on food products, providing reassurance and certainty for consumers and making trade easier within the EU. It also takes account of differences in diet across Europe and explicitly protects vulnerable groups like children."

The European Commission will now develop implementing measures setting concrete Europe-wide maximum levels for permitted pesticide residues. All MRLs for pesticides will become harmonized after a transitional period, and will in future only be set at the European level.

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