165. The Report of the ad hoc Working Group on Problems Relative to Pesticide Residues in Developing Countries (CRD 2) was presented by its Chairperson Dr Vermeulen (South Africa).
166. Dr Vermeulen informed the Committee that the ad hoc Working Group had considered two documents: (i) CX/PR 00/14 prepared by the Delegation of South Africa that dealt with the problems developing countries were facing when exporting tropical, subtropical and minor crops; and (ii) CX/PR 00/14-Add.1 prepared by the Delegation of India that dealt with concerns of developing countries when exporting spices.
167. The Committee noted that problems of developing countries were mainly due to the lack of suitable Codex, EC or national MRLs and the unwillingness of manufacturers to generate new data for crops of importance to these countries. However, these problems might be overcome by strengthening cooperation among countries and marketing organizations such as COLEACP and that the International Tropical Fruits Network could play a central role in coordination and generation of residue data for the elaboration of MRLs. The Committee emphasized the importance of regional co-operation in this area. In the case of tropical and subtropical fruit crops, there might be a possibility for extrapolation of data within the same crop group by JMPR.
168. The Committee was informed that the incidence of trade violations for pesticide residues on spices and herbs had increased. This had resulted in the financial losses to the exporting country and therefore it was essential to establish Codex MRLs for spices. The additional problem was the occurrence of residues of compounds such as BHC, DDT and lindane on spices and herbs. They were not directly applied to those commodities but their residues were found since some of these compounds were being used for public health purposes. It was indicated that the monitoring data were available to establish EMRLs for spices. The Committee noted that the basis for MRL-setting for spices could not differ from that for other commodities and that the residue data and GAP must be submitted.
169. Regarding proposals to elaborate MRLs for spices and herbs (for infusion), it was indicated that spices and herbs were eaten in very small amounts and the intake of pesticide residues from these commodities was limited. The Committee noted that spices and herbs were classified separately in the Codex Classification of Foods and Animal Feeds while in some countries “spices” included herbs.
170. It was noted that it was practically impossible to get information on GAP and supervised trial data for spices and herbs and therefore there would be a need for more flexible procedure, such as using monitoring data, for establishing MRLs for spices and herbs. The Delegations of Germany and Israel informed the Committee that monitoring data had been used to establish MRLs for herbs (for infusion) and fresh herbs, respectively.
171. The Committee agreed that a circular letter be sent to governments to seek the following information: (1) pesticides used on spices, their GAPs and the availability of monitoring and residue trial data; (2) compounds not registered for use on spices but frequently detected in spices and the availability of monitoring data and toxicological data (if no PTDI had been established); and (3) national policy for regulating pesticide residues in spices, such as setting MRLs. Information should be sent to South Africa for compilation and consideration by the Committee at the next session. With reference to herbs, the Committee considered that similar work might be needed, but agreed that spices appeared to have higher priority.
172. The Committee thanked the working group for its work and agreed that it would not convene the working group at the next session in order to consider fully the above issue at the plenary.
