Maximum residue levels on radish leaves
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EU to amend maximum residue levels that apply to radish leaves
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards radish leaves
Draft Annex
Update
The EU intends to clarify which pesticide residue maximum residue levels (MRLs) apply to radish leaves. This draft Regulation introduces a distinction between small and large radish leaves. For large radish leaves, the MRLs set for kale will apply. For small radish leaves, the MRLs for Roman rocket/rucola will apply. This could potentially have an impact on suppliers of small radish leaves.
Suppliers of products affected should review their current use of isopyrazam and look for possible alternative solutions in anticipation of these MRL changes.
Impacted Products
Radish leaves
What is changing?
The MRLs that apply to radish leaves today are those set for kale. The Commission proposes to introduce the following distinction:
Large radish leaves (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus and var. niger): MRLs for kale apply.
Small radish leaves (Raphanus sativus var. radicula): MRLs for Roman rocket/rucola apply.
Why?
Good agricultural practices (GAP) that are applied to radish varieties with smaller leaves are similar to GAP applied to Roman rocket/rucola, rather than those used for kales. For small-leaf varieties, the MRLs for Roman rocket/rucola are therefore more appropriate.
Timeline
The new MRLs are expected to apply from approximately the fourth quarter of 2024.
Recommended Actions
The MRLs for kales and Roman rocket/rucola are not always the same. Exporters of small radish leaves should check if their products are in compliance with the MRLs that are set for Roman rocket/rucola. An overview of all EU MRLs can be found in the EU Pesticide Residues database.
Background
Detailed descriptions of products and which MRL applies can be found in Annex I, Part B of Regulation 396/2005.
The product description "radish leaves" was introduced in Regulation 2018/62.
MRLs are set in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation 396/2005. For information on current MRLs for other substances, please consult the EU Pesticide Residues database.
Resources
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin
Regulation (EU) 2018/62 replacing Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards radish leaves
Draft Annex