Pesticide residue limits now harmonised

摘要

Following years of negotiations, Russia has agreed to align some of its maximum levels for pesticide residues (MRLs) in fruit and vegetables with EU and international standards, removing important obstacles to bilateral trade, the European Commission said, on 24 June. The new law amending Russia's MRLs entered into force in early June.rn"The alignment is expected to improve conditions for trade of fruit and vegetables between the EU and the Russian Federation," said the Commission in a statement. In 2009, the value of EU-Russia trade inrnthese products was €2.3 billion. The agreement provides more favourable conditions for EU exporters of vegetables and fruit, such as apples and pears, grapes, citrus fruits and stone fruits (peaches, apricots).