IMPORTANT: Update on new Maximum Residue Levels

11 September, 2008

New Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) have been introduced by the Pesticides Safety Directorate that affect the limited number of pesticides used in organic production and processing.

All licensees should make note of the following information, which became effective from September 1, 2008.

The relevant legislation is the EC Maximum Residue Regulation (396/2005/EC)
The new MRLs cover a large range of compounds, including products used in organic agriculture, these being: Azadirachtin (Neem); Copper; Sulphur; Rotenone (Derris); Pyrethins and Spinosad.
The new MRLs are contained in (396/2005/EC) Annex iii Part a (see link below), under temporary MRLs (tMRLs)
It is highly likely that the Pesticides Residue Committee will carry out testing on organic produce as part of its standard monitoring regime. We would expect them to apply the new MRLs only to produce treated with the above listed compounds after 01/09/08.

It is important for licensees to consider their due diligence procedures in the light of these new tMRLs/MRLs. You may wish to consider adding these to your current scope of testing.

Please inform OF&G as soon as possible of the detection of any contaminant at any level.

It would be a serious setback for the organic sector should any product be found to contain any level of pesticide or other contaminant and we would stress to all licensees that proper procedures and monitoring to avoid this is everyone’s responsibility.

Useful links

The Pesticide Residues Committee - New EU MRLs Regime and PRC Reports

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id+2512

To view the full range of MRLs

http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/prtection/pesticides/pesticide_res_annex_iii_a.xls

For your information we are providing the following list of laboratories although other laboratories are available and this list does not constitute our recommendation. Please check with individual labs regarding the compounds they are able to test for as not all labs can check for all compounds.

Eurofins Laboratories Ltd:

Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ

Tel: 01902 743222. Web: www.eurofins.co.uk

Scientific Analysis Laboratories Ltd

Unit 2, The Links, Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB3 8UD

Tel: 01954 782791. Web: www.salltd.co.uk

CCFRA Technology Ltd

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6LD

Tel: 01386 842000. Web: www.campden.co.uk

Pattinson Scientific Services Ltd

Scott House, Penn Street, Scotswood Industrial Estate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE4 7BG

Tel: 0191-226 1300. Web: www.pattinsonscientific.com

Eclipse Scientific Group (Various locations in UK)

Web: www.eclipsescientific.co.uk

LGC Limited (Various locations in UK)

Web: www.lgc.co.uk

Bodycote LawLabs

121 Shady Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B449ET

Tel: 0121-251 4237. Web: www.bodycote.com