Francesca Perego | Chief Scientific Officer
IFEAT is closely monitoring recent regulatory developments at European Union level following the adoption of a French decree suspending the import and marketing of certain food products containing residues of specific pesticide active substances banned in the EU.
At the beginning of 2026, France adopted national legislation suspending the import of selected food commodities originating from non‑EU countries where residues of five banned pesticide active substances are detected. The decree, published on 7 January 2026 and applicable from 7 February 2026, targets glufosinate, mancozeb, carbendazim, benomyl and thiophanate‑methyl. Notably, the measure applies even when residue levels are below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) currently established at EU level, thereby exceeding the existing EU regulatory framework.
The affected active substances are used in the production of a wide range of agricultural commodities, including cereals, fruit and vegetables such as wheat, tomatoes, citrus fruits, avocados, potatoes, mangoes and papayas. Currently, discussions are ongoing at national level in France to clarify the practical modalities for the implementation of the decree.
The introduction of divergent national residue requirements raises concerns regarding the integrity of the EU-single market rules. In particular, the establishment of national measures that depart from harmonised EU MRLs risks undermining the free movement of goods and may create broader regulatory and trade implications for natural substances, including essential oils used in food applications. Harmonised, EU‑wide approaches are considered essential to avoid market fragmentation.
EU institutions have formally acknowledged the French decree, and several discussions are currently underway. Key issues under consideration include whether the measure constitutes a technical barrier to trade and whether it is compatible with EU single‑market rules given its divergence from harmonised MRLs.
In parallel, the European Commission is assessing the possibility of moving towards a so‑called “technical zero” residue level for three of the substances concerned – carbendazim, benomyl and thiophanate‑methyl. These discussions form part of a wider political debate on so‑called “mirror measures”, under which imported products would be required to meet the same production standards as those applicable within the EU, particularly regarding pesticide use. These considerations are also linked to the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus published in December 2025.
While current discussions are primarily focused on fresh fruit and vegetables, these developments may also have implications for processed products, including essential oils used in food applications, where pesticide residues may still be detectable.
Given the potential impact on compliance obligations, internal market consistency, exporters, EU trading partners, sourcing strategies and market access, IFEAT will continue to monitor developments closely and may consider engaging further in discussions at EU level as the situation evolves.