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RULES AND REGULATONS ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES 



Eugene M. Kupferman 



Extension Horticulturist 



Tree Fruit Research Center 



Wenatchee, WA 



The tree fruit industry has become increasingly aware of the prolifera- 

 tion of agencies and regulations which impact shipments of fruit, especially 

 to foreign ports. This article attempts to explain who these agencies are 

 and reports on efforts made by the fruit industry to comply with the regula- 

 t ions. 



Definitions of Terms 



The term pest ic ide res idue refers to the amount of a pesticide and 

 possibly breakdown remaining on or in a crop. The term tolerance describes 

 the minute trace level of a pesticide residue permitted on or in a crop 

 after harvest. If the residue exceeds the tolerance set by the appropriate 

 regulatory agency, then the crop may not be marketed or sold. 



Regulatory Agencies 



The regulatory agency which established pesticide residue tolerance on 

 crops within the USA is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Market 

 surveillance is done by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 



Some other countries to whom Washington sends apples set regulations 

 regarding pesticide residues and tolerances through in-country agencies and 

 legislation. For example, in Canada the "Canadian Food and Drugs Act and 

 Regulations" apply to food sold in Canada whether produced domestically or 

 imported. Countries including Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, 

 France, and the United Kingdom sometimes act somewhat independently of each 

 other on questions of chemical residue standards. 



Many countries of the European Economic Community (EEC) follow the 

 recommendations of an EEC Ministerial Decision which lists a number of 

 pesticides and accepted residue tolerances by commodity. However, they are 

 not mandated to do so. 



Countries are also influenced by the "Codex Al imentar ius" prepared by a 

 joint committee of members of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the 

 Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAD). The "Codex 

 Alimentarius Committee on Pesticide Residues" is only an advisory body, but 

 it often provides the foundation for decisions made by countries, especially 

 those lacking sophisticated regulatory laboratories. 



Export Manual Available 



Chris Schlect, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council, com- 

 piled an excellent "Export Manual, I983" which describes the regulations for 

 shipments of fruit into foreign countries. The information was gathered by 

 USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). An updated version of this 



