Pesticides

Growing demand for food has forced producers to maintain the quality of their livestock and crops in the most efficient way. This can involve the use of pesticides. Using these products on crops risks exposing consumers to harmful chemical materials through residues that remain as the animal is reared or as the crop is processed. Setting limits on the maximum levels of these residues ensures that the food is safe to eat.

The role of Codex in Pesticides

To protect consumer health, most countries have maximum legal limits for pesticide residues in foods. Trade difficulties can arise when limits differ between countries.

The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible for establishing Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues in specific food items or in groups of food or feed that move in international trade. 

Before a Codex MRL can be established human health risk assessments must be conducted to ensure the food supply is safe. It is the responsibility of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) to review the appropriate toxicology and data obtained mainly from supervised trials, that reflect approved pesticide use in accordance with "good agricultural practice." JMPR conducts dietary risk assessments and recommends specific MRLs to the Codex Committee.

For a chemical or commodity to be considered for review by the JMPR it must first be nominated by a Member Country to the CCPR Electronic Working Group on Priorities

Related Codex Texts

CXG 80-2013

Guidelines on the Application of Risk Assessment for Feed

TFAF

2013

CXG 80-2013

Guidelines on the Application of Risk Assessment for Feed

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 81-2013

Guidance for Governments on Prioritizing Hazards in Feed

TFAF

2013

CXG 81-2013

Guidance for Governments on Prioritizing Hazards in Feed

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 82-2013

Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control Systems

CCFICS

2013

CXG 82-2013

Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control Systems

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 83-2013

Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade

CCMAS

2013

CXG 83-2013

Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 84-2012

Principles and Guidance on the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides to Commodity Groups

CCPR

2012

CXG 84-2012

Principles and Guidance on the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides to Commodity Groups

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 85-2014

Guidelines for the Control of Taenia Saginata in Meat of Domestic Cattle

CCFH

2014

CXG 85-2014

Guidelines for the Control of Taenia Saginata in Meat of Domestic Cattle

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

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