Pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables: maximum levels

1) OBJECTIVE

To fix certain maximum permitted levels for residues of pesticides which may be applied by Member States.

2) ACT

Council Directive 76/895/EEC of 23 November 1976 relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables [Official Journal L 340 of 09.12.1976].

Amended by the following acts:

Commission Directive 80/428/EEC of 28 March 1980 [Official Journal L 102 of 19.04.1980];

Council Directive 81/36/EEC of 9 February 1981 [Official Journal L 46 of 19.02.1981];

Council Directive 82/528/EEC of 19 July 1982 [Official Journal L 234 of 09.08.1982]

Council Directive 88/298/EEC of 16 May 1988 [Official Journal L 126 of 20.05.1988];

Council Directive 89/186/EEC of 6 March 1989 [Official Journal L 66 of 10.03.1989];

Council Directive 93/58/EEC of 29 June 1993 [Official Journal L 211 of 23.08.1993];

Council Directive 96/32/EC of 21 May 1996 [Official Journal L 144 of 18.06.1996];

Council Directive 97/41/EC of 25 June 1997 [Official Journal L 184 of 12.07.1997];

Commission Directive 1999/65/EC of 24 June 1999 [Official Journal L 172 of 08.07.1999];

Commission Directive 2000/24/EC of 28 April 2000 [Official Journal L 107 of 04.05.2000];

Commission Directive 2000/57/EC of 22 September 2000 [Official Journal L 244 of 29.09.2000];

Commission Directive 2002/66/EC of 16 July 2002 [Official Journal L 192 of 20.07.2002];

Commission Directive 2002/71/EC of 19 August 2002 [Official Journal L 225 of 22.08.2002];

Commission Directive 2002/79/EC of 2 October 2002 [Official Journal L 291 of 28.10.2002];

Commission Directive 2003/60/EC of 18 June 2003 [Official Journal L 155 of 24.06.2003];

Council Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85 of 20 December 1985 [Official Journal L 362 of 01.12.1985];

Council Regulation (EC) No 807/2003 of 14 April 2003 [Official Journal L 122 of 16.05.2003].

This Directive has been repealed by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council - OJ L 70 of16.3.2005.

3) SUMMARY

These present Directives concerns products intended for human or, in exceptional cases, animal consumption listed under the common customs tariff headings set out in Annex I and in or on which are found the pesticide residues listed in Annex II. These Directives does not apply to fruit and vegetables intended for export to third countries.

Definitions of "pesticide residues " and "putting into circulation".

Member States must ensure the free circulation throughout the Community of products containing certain pesticide residues not exceeding the maximum levels laid down in Annex II. In certain justified cases, the Member States may authorize levels higher than the said maximum levels.

Where a maximum level fixed in Annex II endangers the health of humans or of animals, a Member State may temporarily reduce that level in its own territory. In that case it shall immediately notify the other Member States and the Commission thereof.

Member States shall ensure compliance with the maximum levels laid down in these Directives by carrying out official random checks. To this end provision is made for close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission in the Standing Committee on Plant Health set up by Decision 76/894/EEC.

Last updated: 28.04.2005