The European Union Programme for Harmonisation of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)

摘要

The European Union(EU)is undertaking a programme to harmonise its Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Up until this time, the majority of MRLs have been set individually bythe 27 Member States of the EU. These could be set at different levels for the same crop/pesticide residue combination as the MRLs are based on Good Agricultural Practice(GAP). TheEuropean Commission started an ambitious programme to set one harmonised MRL for themajority of pesticide/crop combinations in seven Annexes which will become law in Europeunder Regulation 396/2005. The harmonisation process was based on selecting the highestEuropean national or Codex MRL. This provisional value is then assessed for acute and chronic consumer safety using a multi-diet approach described by the author and further developed by the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA). This paper describes thedevelopmentand progress of the work programme including up to date information on the likely implementation timescales.