Opportunities for the tropical fruit sector to meet European Union regulations on maximum residue levels and pesticide use

Year of publication2023

AuthorFAO

PublisherFAO

AbstractThis technical brief explores the challenges and opportunities confronting the tropical fruit sector in meeting European Union (EU) regulations on maximum residue levels (MRLs) and pesticide use. The EU's Farm to Fork Strategy aims to cut chemical pesticide use by half by 2030. Within this context, producers targeting the EU market are confronted with the dilemma of reducing pesticide use while tackling climate change-induced pest challenges. The brief gives examples of practices that reduce the need of pesticide use including integrated pest management, organic fertilizers, precision agriculture, and cooperation across value chains. Adopting more sustainable production practices may be costly in the short and medium term but necessary in the long term. While compliance with new regulations will be needed for continued market access, the reduction in pesticide can also help increase competitiveness and consumer confidence of companies and resilience of the tropical fruit sector.

 

ThemeResponsible Global Value Chains or Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains

Product typeBrochure (factsheet; flyer/leaflet; Poster; banner)

SeriesResponsible Fruits Project (Technical Briefs)

Areas of workEmerging Trends, Challenges and Opportunities

CommodityTropical fruits

Keywordstropical fruits; maximum residue limits; pesticide application; agrochemicals; use restrictions; integrated pest management; organic fertilizers; precision agriculture; good practices; regulations