Number of MRL overruns decreases, impact increases

The decision to go to Bulgaria a few years ago was based on the development of Bulgaria as a new EU member country, together with Romania. These also have to focus on European legislation. In this country, and also in other countries in which Primoris operates, room on the market existed. Bulgaria and Colombia are both countries with potential. We wanted to be trendsetters there, so we were present in time. Primoris is also a market leader on those markets.

 

Neighbouring countries France and the Netherlands are, according to De Clercq, important growth markets. “Especially in recent years we have been more commercially active in the Netherlands. A growth can also be seen for Primoris in France: we do not just have a representative in the north, but also in the south. It has not yet been decided how the plans for the Netherlands and France will evolve, but we can tell the Netherlands and France are beautiful growth markets for us.”

 

New is that the import legislation recently included the checking for the Norovirus on berries from Serbia. This import legislation is updated every six months. This attention for virus analyses (and microbiological analyses in general) on plant products will only increase. Primoris Bulgaria is currently working on an expansion for virus analyses. Considering that many berries are cultivated in Eastern and Central Europe, we have chosen to have the virus analyses done in Bulgaria. We will naturally inform our customers in a timely manner about this new activity of Primoris when the time is right.

 

For laboratories, the amendments mean that they have to keep adjusting their research methods. “Of course, we keep a close eye on the legislation, because it is constantly changing. This then has to be changed and followed up in our system. There are currently a few molecules that are becoming prohibited, but another part is still in the pipeline. Sooner or later, those will possibly also become prohibited, and we can already bear that in mind.” The biggest change for the lab came in 2008, according to De Clercq. “That is when MRLs were harmonised on a European level.” A different point that is being given more attention is metabolites of residues. Besides the active substance, more metabolites (degradation products) are being included in the residue definition of a pesticide, and therefore also in the analyses package. For these can also have a toxic effect on the body. Both MRLs and residue definitions are regularly updated or amended in this regard in the legislation.

 

According to De Clercq, the synergetic effect of multiple residues will get more attention in the future. Nowadays residues are still considered separately. Various combinations of residues with similar working methods and which can strengthen each other are then examined. On a European level, they are now looking at how to deal with that. Should the residues be ‘added together’ and made into a sort of ‘group MRLs?’

 

De Clercq has noticed that no risks are being taken anymore, especially where public health is concerned. “The EU is becoming increasingly stricter regarding controls. We, as consumer, are becoming less equipped to deal with risks. In recent years, due to that extreme carefulness, a number of molecules ‘surfaced’ which were not being examined before, but are now being questioned. An example is chlorate. A lot of fuss was made about it when it was first found, even though this is not always necessary. Many controls and blockades then follow. Usually all hands are on deck in the lab to quickly perform the examinations.” According to De Clercq this is happening increasingly often. “Another example is perchlorate. Yet I also see more cases when people are dealing with it better and in a calmer manner. Often it is not even harmful to your health. The signal about new substances that need to be analysed often comes from Germany. This also has to do with the fact that German retail is very strict and that Greenpeace and consumer associations are very active. Glyphosate is also a residue that has currently come into disrepute. When Fytolab started 15 years ago, there was no demand from the market to analyse glyphosate, even though this was the herbicide most often used. It was generally accepted that toxicity was low, this was not questioned. Until recently new studies emerged that contradict this. Further research is being done on a European level. What therefore worries me is that we have to accept that we still have insufficient knowledge about pesticides that are used often, and that it is very difficult to have decent and objective information.”   

 

“Nowadays we measure lower and lower. The lower you measure, the more likely that you will find something. The position of Primoris is to measure up to the limit asked for in legislation. Our mission is to support the market and our customers, and not to cause trouble where none is needed. Usually Europe determines the limit at 10 ppb (0.01 ppm), but some labs measure up to 5 ppb or even 1 ppb. It would be great if all labs use the same limit, to avoid confusion.”

 

Does the number of controls on Belgian and other European products not decrease in time, because of a decreasing trend in residues? “The number of overruns is decreasing, true, but controls still have to be done. The risk still exists, and the consequences of an overrun could be great. That pressure on our clients and the market remains very much present, which means the pressure for analyses will also remain. Organic and residue-free products should also be checked, to convince the market and to rule out dishonest practices.”

 

The changeable and unstable climate also has influence on the residues. “Wetter or warmer periods cause different plagues than dry and cool periods. In the long run we will definitely see the effect of it. We will get another climate with different influences. To us, it means new means will enter the market, or new means will be recognised by Europe. We will have to be prepared for that,” De Clercq concludes.