EU updates pesticide residue limits for six substances in agricultural products

The European Commission has revised maximum residue levels (MRLs) for six pesticides in agricultural products, including wheat, barley, rye and rapeseed. Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2289 was adopted on October 15, 2026, and the new provisions will enter into force on November 5. The amendments cover acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole and apply to products marketed in the EU.

For cereals, one of the key provisions sets the maximum residue level for pinoxaden in wheat, barley and rye at 0.8 mg/kg. The limits were established following the assessment of applications and risk evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The regulation also confirms existing temporary pinoxaden residue limits for certain animal-derived products.

For rapeseed, the maximum residue level for prothioconazole will be 0.2 mg/kg. The European Commission has also removed the footnote indicating the temporary status of this limit. The amendments concerning prothioconazole cover other crops, including rice, garlic, apricots, sweet cherries and plums. The limits are set at 0.03 mg/kg for rice, 0.02 mg/kg for garlic, 0.3 mg/kg for apricots and 0.6 mg/kg for sweet cherries.

The updated limits also apply to berries, fruits, vegetables and animal-derived products. In particular, the maximum residue level for acequinocyl in blueberries, cranberries, currants and gooseberries is set at 2 mg/kg, while the limit for dodine in grapes is 2 mg/kg. For deltamethrin, the limits are 0.15 mg/kg in kiwifruit and 0.03 mg/kg in melons and watermelons. Separate amendments concerning maleic hydrazide cover meat products, edible offal, milk and eggs.

The new provisions are relevant to agricultural producers and exporters supplying the EU market, including Ukrainian companies. Businesses will need to take the updated limits into account when applying crop protection products, conducting laboratory residue testing and preparing export shipments.

Tags: grain, EU, oilseeds, agricultural products, pesticide