,"The United Kingdom has officially notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of newly adopted Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for the pesticide oxathiapiprolin, a move aimed at enhancing food safety and facilitating international trade. The notification, circulated on 15 August 2025 under reference G/SPS/N/GBR/106, was issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The regulation amends the GB MRL Statutory Register and applies to a wide range of fruits and vegetables commonly traded globally. Scope of the Regulation The new MRLs apply to a comprehensive list of commodities, including but not limited to: Fruits: Grapes (0151000), Melons (0233010), Watermelons (0233030) Vegetables: Garlic (0220010), Onions (0220020), Shallots (0220030), Tomatoes (0231010), Sweet peppers (0231020), Aubergines (0231030), Okra (0231040), Cucumbers (0232010), Gherkins (0232020), Courgettes (0232030), Pumpkins (0233020) Leafy greens: Lettuces and salad plants (0251000), Spinaches and similar leaves (0252000) Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli (0241010), Cauliflower (0241020), Head cabbage (0242020) Legumes: Peas with pods (0260030), Peas without pods (0260040) Others: Leeks (0270060), Ginseng (0633020), Hops (0700000) These commodities are listed using GB commodity codes, which are detailed in Part 1 of the GB pesticides MRL Statutory Register. Details of the Amendment Oxathiapiprolin is an approved active substance in Great Britain. Following an application and scientific evaluation, new MRLs have been introduced to accommodate import tolerances for the listed commodities. The evaluation concluded that: Residue levels resulting from the notified uses are below toxicological reference values. No harmful effects on human health are expected. New MRLs exceed current limits in some cases, necessitating formal adoption to reflect updated authorizations. The Evaluation Report/Reasoned Opinion supporting these changes is publicly available and provides detailed scientific justification for the new limits. International Standards and Compliance The regulation aligns with international standards set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, specifically referencing JMPR active substance number 291. However, some deviations exist: For okra/lady’s fingers, hops, and cauliflower, the GB MRLs are higher than Codex CXLs to accommodate domestic authorizations that result in higher residue levels. For commodities such as lamb’s lettuce, escaroles, cresses, rocket, red mustards, baby leaf crops, purslanes, chards, and beet leaves, no Codex CXLs exist, so GB MRLs are being independently established. For all other commodities, the GB MRLs match existing Codex CXLs, ensuring international harmonization. This regulation is classified as a trade facilitating measure, designed to support importers and exporters by clarifying permissible residue levels and reducing regulatory uncertainty. Public Access and Contact Information The notification does not include a public comment period, indicating that the regulation has already been finalized. The adoption of new MRLs for oxathiapiprolin is expected to: Improve food safety by ensuring residue levels remain within scientifically safe limits. Facilitate trade by aligning domestic standards with international norms where possible. Support agricultural producers and importers by providing clear guidelines for compliance. This move reflects the UK’s commitment to maintaining high food safety standards while supporting global trade partnerships."
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