Gulf Cooperation Council - Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered for use in Australia - Oilseeds

Information Bulletin - February 2009

This information bulletin provides a list of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered¹ for use in Australian grain, pulses and oilseeds. Listed in the table below are MRLs for countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which include: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. If an MRL is ‘not set’, generally, the GCC will use the Codex MRL. The main purpose of this bulletin is to inform growers, packers and marketers of the export requirements in regards to pesticide residues. The critical element of this information is that Australian MRLs do not apply to other countries and even though a pesticide may be registered in Australia, it may not be the case in that overseas country. Organisations marketing to overseas countries should be aware that the information provided below represents the official standards, but not necessarily the marketing requirements. Marketers should refer to the contractual arrangements concerning agreed residue limits.

Disclaimer: Although the Australian Government has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of this publication, it does not warrant its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Australian Government disclaims all liability including liability in negligence for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by persons as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data set out in this publication. Before relying on the material in any matters, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for the purposes intended, and should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Notes:

Source: Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residue in Agricultural and Food Products Part 1 - UAEs GSO 382/1994 and Part 2 - UAEs GSO 383/1994

Website address: https://www.esma.ae/esmainfo/Default/ICSStandards.aspx?ID=668
Date: 1/01/1994

Adopted from Codex definitions

oilseeds = rape seed, cotton seed sunflower seed, linseed, safflower, etc and also soybean.

soybean values refer to Soybean (dry)

Oilseed consists of seeds from a variety of plants used in the production of edible vegetable oils, seed meals, and cakes for animal feed. Portion of the commodity to which the MRL applies (and which is analysed): unless specified, seed kernels, after the removal of shell or husk.

canola = rape seed

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) is responsible for developing or adopting all standards. A senior official from ESMA represents the UAE at GSO meetings. The UAE, through the GSO, Codex and ISO has developed about 670 food standards including limits for pesticide residues.

The United Arab Emirates FAIRS Country Report Annual 2008 states UAE Standard 382/95 (GS 382/94) Part I establishes limits of pesticide residues in agricultural and food products, UAE Standard 383/95 (GS 383/94) complements Part I. In the absence of a GCC or UAE standard, the UAE recognizes the Codex Alimentarius standard that governs pesticide and other contaminant residue levels. Chemical contamination is a growing concern of UAE authorities and efforts are underway to update local guidelines and improve testing procedures.

In theory, each GCC member should notify the WTO of a proposed new standard. However, typically one or two member countries submit the notification. Consequently, interested parties who review these notifications should bear in mind that, while a notification may be submitted by a single GCC member, the proposed standard will likely eventually apply to all GCC member countries. Once a new standard is approved by the GSO food standards committee, each member country should officially adopt the standard, thus making it a domestic standard as well as a GSO standard.