China applies new MRLs standard in Food

Date:04-09-2013

The new standard of MRLs in Food issued jointly by Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health has become effective from 1st March 2013 in China.

The new standard specifies 2293 limit values of 322 pesticides in the 10 categories, primarily covering China’s major agriculture products. The new standard has for the first time suggested testing methods for pesticide residue detection, which enables the standard to be more workable. “New standard regulates farmers’ use of pesticide in a reasonable manner, which could control the pesticide residue from the source and thus help to ensure the quality and safety of agriculture products”, said an official from the Ministry of Agriculture.

A national routine inspection reveals that in 2012 China’s vegetable pesticide residue conformance rate reached 97.9%, which is respectively 23.7% and 4% up over 2002 and 2007; the detected use of prohibited or restricted pesticides is decreasing year by year. In 2012 only 7 cases of prohibited use were detected, which is respectively reduced by 215 and 17 cases compared with that of 2007 and 2011; only 243 cases of restricted use were detected, which is respectively reduced by 106 and 66 cases compared with that of 2007 and 2011. “We can surely say that in general China’s pesticide applications are getting safer and safer.” Said the above official from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Early 2013, Chinese Ministry of Agriculture initiated a pilot subsidy program in favor of low-toxic & low-residue pesticide application which targets at promotion of low-toxic & low-residue pesticides in a purpose to further decrease pesticide residues.