On 21 May 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a reasoned opinion proposing to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the insecticide acequinocyl in cane fruits and other small fruits and berries. The revision would raise the current MRLs to accommodate authorized uses in third countries and support international trade, while EFSA concluded that the proposed changes pose no unacceptable risk to consumers.
The opinion was prepared by EFSA's Pesticides Peer Review Unit following an application from the Netherlands, the evaluating Member State, on behalf of a company seeking import tolerances. Acequinocyl is an acaricide used primarily on fruit crops to control spider mites. The current EU MRLs for the relevant crop groups are set at lower levels, and the proposed modifications would align them with Codex Alimentarius maximum residue limits where applicable.
Policy orientations and trade-offs EFSA assessed the dietary exposure of consumers to acequinocyl residues under the proposed higher MRLs. The assessment covered acute and chronic exposure for all EU consumer groups, including vulnerable populations such as children. The authority concluded that the estimated exposure is below the toxicological reference values, indicating no health concerns. However, the opinion notes that data gaps remain for certain crop subgroups, and recommends that risk managers consider monitoring data to verify compliance.
The trade-off involves balancing consumer protection against trade facilitation. Higher MRLs may allow imports of fruits treated with acequinocyl under different agricultural practices, potentially lowering costs for EU processors and retailers. On the other hand, some consumer and environmental groups may argue that increasing residue limits could weaken long-term food safety standards and incentivize pesticide use abroad.
Impact on stakeholders EU fruit importers and food processors would benefit from fewer trade barriers and more predictable supply chains, as the revised MRLs would reduce the risk of shipments being rejected at borders. EU fruit growers, particularly those producing cane fruits and berries, may face competitive pressure from imports that can use acequinocyl under less restrictive conditions. National food safety authorities would need to update monitoring programs and may incur additional costs for testing new residue levels. Consumers would see no immediate change in safety, but some may perceive higher residue limits as a dilution of the precautionary principle.
Expected institutional follow-up The European Commission and Member States will now consider EFSA's reasoned opinion in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed. If adopted, the new MRLs will be incorporated into Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, likely within the next six to twelve months. The opinion also calls for further data on the fate of acequinocyl in processed products to refine future risk assessments.
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