The European Parliament adopted, by a large majority, a compromise package reached by the rapporteur, Robert STURDY (EPP-ED, UK), other political groups and the Council presidency on pesticide residues. The agreed text now places greater emphasis on consumer protection. The text states that the MRLs should be set at the lowest achievable level consistent with good agricultural practice for each pesticide with a view to protecting vulnerablegroups such as children and the unborn. In addition:
- the definition of "good agricultural practice" implies the application, in conformity with Directive 91/414/EEC, of the principles of integrated pest control in a given climate zone, as well as using the
minimum quantity of pesticides and setting MRLs/temporary MRLs at the lowest level which allows the desired effect to be obtained;
- the concepts of an "acute reference dose" (the amount of a substance in food that can be ingested over a short time without appreciable risk to the consumer) and of "acceptable daily intake" (the amount of a substance that can be ingested daily over a lifetime) should take account of "the sensitive groups within the population (e.g. children and the unborn)".
- To ensure that consumers are kept adequately informed, Member States should, in accordance with Regulation 882/2004/EC, publish the results of national monitoring residues annually on the internet, providing all individual data, including the place of collection and the names of retailers, trades and/or producers;
- Parliament laid down new time limits on supplementary information;
- Where MRLs are exceeded, Member States may name the retailers, traders or producers concerned.
Finally, the compromise states that MRLs for imported commodities should not normally exceed the MRL limits set for domestic commodities. The deal reiterates a demand for a separate assessment for herbal infusions due to their many component parts.