The Council of the European Union has published a cover note dated 23 July 2026, annexing a Commission Regulation that amends maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the pesticide difenoconazole in or on certain food and feed products. The regulation updates Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, setting new harmonised limits that apply uniformly across all EU Member States.
The amendment is based on a scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and aims to ensure food safety while facilitating the internal market. The new MRLs replace existing limits for difenoconazole in the listed commodities, requiring food producers and importers to adjust their practices to comply. This may necessitate changes in pest control strategies for crops where difenoconazole is used, potentially affecting agricultural input costs.
For consumers, the updated limits enhance protection by reducing exposure to pesticide residues in food. However, trade with third countries could be impacted if their MRLs differ from the new EU limits, potentially creating barriers for imported goods. National competent authorities are responsible for enforcing the new limits through monitoring and testing programs.
The regulation is expected to enter into force shortly after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, with no prior coverage of this specific amendment available in recent months.