Pesticides
Growing demand for food has forced producers to maintain the quality of their livestock and crops in the most efficient way. This can involve the use of pesticides. Using these products on crops risks exposing consumers to harmful chemical materials through residues that remain as the animal is reared or as the crop is processed. Setting limits on the maximum levels of these residues ensures that the food is safe to eat.
The role of Codex in Pesticides
To protect consumer health, most countries have maximum legal limits for pesticide residues in foods. Trade difficulties can arise when limits differ between countries.
The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible for establishing Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues in specific food items or in groups of food or feed that move in international trade.
Before a Codex MRL can be established human health risk assessments must be conducted to ensure the food supply is safe. It is the responsibility of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) to review the appropriate toxicology and data obtained mainly from supervised trials, that reflect approved pesticide use in accordance with "good agricultural practice." JMPR conducts dietary risk assessments and recommends specific MRLs to the Codex Committee.
For a chemical or commodity to be considered for review by the JMPR it must first be nominated by a Member Country to the CCPR Electronic Working Group on Priorities.
Related Codex Texts
| Reference | Title | Committee | Last modified |
EN
FR
ES
AR
ZH
RU
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| CXG 33-1999 | Recommended Methods of Sampling for the Determination of Pesticide Residues for Compliance with MRLs | CCPR | 1999 |
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| CXG 40-1993 | Guidelines on Good Laboratory Practice in Pesticide Residue Analysis | CCPR | 2010 |
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| CXG 84-2012 | Principles and Guidance on the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides to Commodity Groups | CCPR | 2017 |
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| CXG 90-2017 | Guidelines on Performance Criteria for Methods of Analysis for the Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed | CCPR | 2017 |
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| CXG 97-2022 | Guidelines for the Recognition of Active Substances or Authorized Uses of Active Substances of Low Public Health Concern that are Considered Exempted from the Establishment of Maximum Residue Limits or do not give rise to Residues | CCPR | 2022 |
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News
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Pesticide Residues 50th session in Haikou China
Key Facts
- Codex sets Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides in food and feed crops to provide standards for food safety and foster international trade. FAO and WHO also develop Pesticide Specifications to set standards for pesticide quality and protect consumers and the environment from the use of substandard products.
- Codex has established over 4300 MRLs covering nearly 200 pesticides.
- FAO promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the preferred approach to pest management.
- FAO and WHO encourage the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management.
Pesticide legislation & labelling
Harry Van der Wulp explains how the guidelines on pesticide legislation have been updated to emphasize that pesticide management stretches beyond agriculture and also involves ministries of health and environment.