Fast-changing crop-protection-product legislation, has prompted EurepGAP to amend its protocol and develop guidance notes.
The aim of the changes introduced by the body’s technical and standards committee is to help growers become more fully aware of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in operation in the markets where their products will be sold.
The committee is made up of agronomists and technicians from the retail and production sectors world-wide.
“The changes have been introduced so that growers develop a high awareness of the MRLs in operation in the countries where the product will be, or is likely to be, sold,” said Hugo Hays, EurepGAP technical director.
“It is important that growers can demonstrate that their produce meets these country of destination requirements particularly if the regimes are stricter than those in the country of production.
“EurepGAP has always stressed the importance of residue screening and it provides further re-assurance when the exact destination of the product is not known,” he said
“So as to allow time for growers to become familiar with the new requirements, the amended procedures will become binding in the certification programme from May 1, 2005.
“We have also produced a comprehensive list of contacts where growers can find out the most up-to-date information concerning MRLs and hope this will help them meet the challenges posed by legislative requirements,” Hays added.
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