A cover note dated 23 July 2026 from the EU Council transmits a Commission regulation amending maximum residue levels (MRLs) for eight pesticides — azoxystrobin, etofenprox, fenpropidin, flupyradifurone, hexythiazox, imazalil, spinosad and tebufenozide — in or on certain products. The regulation, formally adopted by the European Commission, updates Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which sets EU-wide MRLs for pesticide residues in food and feed of plant and animal origin.
The document, classified as a cover note from the Council to member states, does not specify the exact date of the Commission's adoption or the meeting at which it was discussed. It outlines modifications to existing MRLs based on new scientific assessments, likely reflecting updated risk evaluations or changes in authorised uses of the active substances. The regulation aims to ensure a high level of consumer protection while facilitating trade within the internal market by harmonising residue limits.
No prior coverage of this specific file exists in the available record. The regulation is expected to enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Stakeholders affected include EU food producers, who must comply with the new limits; importers of agricultural goods from third countries, who may face stricter border checks; and consumers, who benefit from updated safety thresholds. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) typically conducts the underlying risk assessments for such MRL amendments. National enforcement authorities in member states will be responsible for monitoring compliance through official controls. The regulation does not introduce a fundamental policy shift but represents a routine update to keep MRLs aligned with current scientific knowledge and agricultural practices.