The European Parliament rejects allowing imports with banned pesticide residues into the EU

 In particular, MEPs rejected initiatives by the EU executive to allow maximum residue levels for cyproconazole and spirodiclofen in cereals, seeds, meat, liver, and kidneys, as well as for benomyl, carbendazim, and thiophanate-methyl in lemons, limes, mandarins, and okra.

As a result of this rejection, the European Commission is now obliged to withdraw its proposals and was asked to submit new drafts setting maximum residue limits at the minimum detectable levels or the default value of 0.01 mg/kg for all uses. In addition, Parliament urged the Commission to reject any requests for import tolerances that do not meet these strict requirements.

The resolutions underline the importance of imported agri-food products meeting the same high standards as those produced within the EU, thus ensuring fair competition and protecting people's health in Europe and producing countries.