Regulations Concerning Import of Fruit and Vegetables to the EU residues of pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals and nitrates genetic modification (GMO) quality inspections plant health

Pesticide Residues The maximum residue limits (MRL) of pesticides in fruit and vegetables are given in the annex of Council directive 90/642/EEC 47 amending directives 194 pesticides regulated The MRL’s are published in the internet at pesticides/index_en.htm national or Codex MRL’s for non-harmonised pesticides

Pesticide Residues Baby food strictly regulated. MRL of all pesticides 0.01 mg/kg Commission directives 1999/39/EC and 1999/50/EC

Pesticide residues, import control 2003 MRL = Maximum Residue Limit

Non-complying lots from Egypt, 2002 – 2004 ProductReason of rejection OrangePesticide dimethoate0.06 mg/kg (MRL 0.02 mg/kg) OrangePesticide dimethoate0.07 mg/kg (MRL 0.02 mg/kg) OrangePesticide dimethoate0.12 mg/kg (MRL 0.02 mg/kg) OrangePesticide dimethoate0.15 mg/kg (MRL 0.02 mg/kg) OrangePesticide dimethoate0.17 mg/kg (MRL 0.02 mg/kg) Mint, mincedPesticide chlorpyrifos0.68 mg/kg (MRL 0.05 x10) Pesticide chlorpyrifos-me 3.2 mg/kg (MRL 0.05 x10) Mint, mincedMicrobiologic reasons

Pesticide Residues What next? New regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council expected in 2005 harmonise all MRLs in the EU MRLs of all non-authorised pesticides 0.01 mg/kg Authorisation of over 300 pesticides have been withdrawn by the Commission regulation 2076/2000.

Mycotoxins Commission Regulation 466/2001* Maximum levels: Aflatoxin B1nuts, peanut, dried fruit, cereals2 μg/kg Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 nuts, peanut, dried fruit, cereals4 μg/kg Ochratoxin Acereal grains, raisins5 μg/kg * amendments Counsil Regulation (EC) No 2375/2001 Commission Regulation (EC) No 221/2002 Commission Regulation (EC) No 257/2002 Commission Regulation (EC) No 472/2002 Commission Regulation (EC) No 563/2002 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003

Heavy Metals and Nitrates Commission Regulation 466/2001 Maximum levels Cadmiumfruit and vegetables0.05 mg/kg stem and root vegetables0.1 mg/kg leaf vegetables, herbs0.2 mg/kg Leadfruit and vegetables0.1 mg/kg Nitratesspinach and lettuce 2000 – 4500 mg/kg

Genetically Modified Food GMO maize and soybean accepted in EU (Council Directive 90/220/EEC) Labelling for products containing more than 1 % GMO (Commission Regulation 1139/98 as amended by 49/2000) Labelling will be expanded and threshold value changed to 0.9 % April 18, 2004 (Regulations 1829/2003 and 1830/2003)

Quality Inspections Fruit and vegetables must be classified by reference to a set of standards (Council Regulation 2200/96 ) Plant Health Phytosanitary Certificate required (Council Directive 2000/29/EC)