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Food Safety

Who does what?

Risk assessment

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) verifies that this residue is safe for all European consumer groups, including vulnerable groups such as babies, children and vegetarians.

When a risk is established for any consumer group, the MRL application is rejected and the pesticide may not be used on that crop.

Setting MRLs

The Commission sets a new MRL and amends or removes an existing one after EFSA's opinion. The Commission adopts Regulations for the purpose.

Enforcement & control

The national authorities define how and when the pesticide may be used. That information is on the label of the pesticide.

Authorisations are granted on a national basis because local and environmental conditions and the occurrence of pests (therefore, use of pesticides) may differ.

Non-EU imported crops

For crops grown outside the EU, MRLs are set on the request of the exporting country.