Maximum residue limits (MRL)

EXPORT MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS (MRLs)

Most countries have established Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides used in the control of pest and diseases not only to safeguard consumer health but also to minimize the presence of these residues in the environment.

As a condition of market access products exported must comply with these residue standards.

South African export legislation requires inter alia that–

Only chemical remedies registered in terms of The Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act No. 36 of 1947) are used on the specific crop;

Crops or agricultural products exported should not exceed the maximum chemical residue limits of the importing countries; and

Record is kept of the chemical remedies used in spray/fumigation programs and as post harvest treatment

To ensure compliance with legislation monitoring samples are drawn during the quality inspections and analyzed.

The Directorate Food Safety and Quality Assurance, together with other Government Departments and Directorates is responsible for the government-to-government liaison with regard to MRLs on export products or rejectin of consignments by importing authorities.

Exporters and producers have inter alia the responsibility to –

Comply with the requirements on the correct, approved use and application of pesticide remedies in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act No. 36 of 1947);

Keep record of the chemical remedies used in spray programs and as post harvest treatment and to provide this information on request to the responsible authorities;

Verify the MRLs with their importer or agent in the relevant country;

Keep up with the registration and re-registration processes of pesticides within South Africa as well as in importing countries; and

Inform the Directorate Food Safety and Quality Assurance of any rejections by importing country authorities due to residues.

To assist producers and exporters, the following links have been established with the web sites of some importing countries:

Australia	Canada	Egypt^#
European Union (applicable for all EU member states)	Finland^#*	Greece^#*
Israel^#	Japan^#	Mexico^#
New Zealand^#	Sweden^*	Switzerland
United Kingdom*	USA