64. The Committee noted that the CCPR had been considering pesticide residue problems in developing countries, and had been and was collecting information through questionnaires and sessions of the coordinating committees with a view to identifying pesticide/commodity combinations for which Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) should be elaborated. It also noted that the 1997 JMPR considered matters regarding extrapolation from major crops to the relevant minor crops.
65. The Delegation of Thailand commented on the lack of Codex MRLs for commodities exported from the Region, in particular, for those categorized as minor crops. He stressed the importance of regional cooperation, as well as the contribution of pesticide industries, in developing necessary data and introduced the recently initiated cooperation within the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in harmonization of MRLs in vegetables and ASEAN Pesticide Database and Network. Extrapolation, if applicable, would be an instrument to derive MRLs for minor crops without developing a complete set of trial data. He requested FAO to provide technical guidance and/or training in the area of residue data generation and their submission for review by the JMPR.
66. The Observer from Consumers International noted with satisfaction that the CCPR had recognized the importance of integrated pest management; however, regretted that on the list of pesticide/commodity combinations for which Codex MRLs were to be elaborated, there were some pesticides that Consumers International and other international organizations had been trying to ban.
67. The Representative of WHO reported on GEMS/Food Programme and requested Member countries to provide it pesticide residue monitoring data. He also introduced a 1996 UN publication entitled “Indicators of Sustainable Development Framework and Methodology” which includes a chapter on sustainable agriculture; and a PAHO/WHO international conference on pesticide use in developing countries which would be held in collaboration with FAO and UNDP in Costa Rica in February 1998.
68. The Committee encouraged Member countries to participate actively in the CCPR and invited them to send information concerning pesticide/commodity combinations for which Codex MRLs were needed due to health and trade concerns, and minor crops which could be extrapolated from certain major crops to Dr. Cheah of Malaysia[22], who was now preparing a paper for the CCPR, by the end of January 1998.
