A cover note dated 23 July 2026 from the Council of the European Union transmits a Commission Regulation that amends maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain food products. The regulation, adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, updates Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to reflect new scientific assessments and trade considerations, impacting producers, importers, and consumers across the EU.
The document, issued by the General Secretariat of the Council, accompanies the Commission Regulation and serves as a formal notification to member states. The amendments set new MRLs for the six active substances, lowering limits for some pesticides to align with updated toxicological data and raising others where dietary exposure remains within safe thresholds. For instance, prothioconazole, a widely used fungicide in cereals, sees reduced MRLs for wheat and barley, while deltamethrin, an insecticide applied to fruits and vegetables, receives adjusted limits for apples and tomatoes. The changes aim to ensure a high level of consumer protection while facilitating trade by harmonising limits with international standards where possible.
The regulation balances public health protection against agricultural and commercial interests. Lower MRLs for certain pesticides may require farmers to adopt alternative pest control methods or face reduced market access for crops exceeding the new limits. Conversely, higher MRLs for others, based on negligible consumer risk, provide flexibility for growers and importers. The Commission's impact assessment considered both dietary exposure calculations and the availability of alternative substances, reflecting a compromise between precautionary principles and practical farming needs.
EU consumers benefit from updated safety thresholds that reflect the latest science, reducing potential long-term health risks from pesticide residues. EU farmers and food producers face compliance costs, including potential yield losses or increased input costs if alternative pest management is needed. Importers of non-EU produce must adjust to new MRLs, which could disrupt supply chains for products like tropical fruits where certain pesticides are more commonly used. National enforcement authorities will need to update monitoring programmes and may face additional testing burdens.
The regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states have six months to transpose the new MRLs into national law and ensure that products placed on the market comply. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will continue to review MRLs for other pesticides under the periodic review programme, with further amendments expected in the coming years.