Directive 1986/362 - Fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals - Main contents

official title

Avis juridique important

|

Council Directive 86/362/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals

Official Journal L 221 , 07/08/1986 P. 0037 - 0042

Finnish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 21 P. 0220

Swedish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 21 P. 0220

*****

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE

of 24 July 1986

on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals

(86/362/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 43 and 100 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),

Whereas crop production plays a very important role in the Community;

Whereas the yield from that production is continually affected by harmful organisms and weeds;

Whereas it is absolutely essential to protect plants and plant products against these organisms, not only to prevent a reduction in yield or damage to the products harvested but also to increase agricultural productivity;

Whereas one of the most important methods of protecting plants and plant products from the effect of these harmful organisms is the use of chemical pesticides;

Whereas, however, these pesticides do not have only a favourable effect on plant production, since they are generally toxic substances or preparations with dangerous side-effects;

Whereas a large number of these pesticides and of their metabolites or breakdown products may have harmful effects on consumers of plant products;

Whereas these pesticides and the contaminants which may accompany them can present dangers for the environment;

Whereas, in order to deal with these dangers, several Member States have already fixed maximum levels for certain residues in and on cereals;

Whereas the differences which exist between Member States as regards the maximum permissible levels for pesticide residues can help to create barriers to trade and thus hinder the free movement of goods within the Community;

Whereas, for this reason, in an initial stage, maximum levels should be fixed for certain active substances in cereals, which must be observed when these products are put into circulation;

Whereas, moreover, observance of the maximum levels will ensure that the cereals can circulate freely and that the health of consumers is properly protected;

Whereas at the same time the Member States should be enabled to authorize the monitoring of levels of pesticide residues in cereals produced and consumed in their territory by a system of surveillance and related measures so as to provide safeguards equivalent to those resulting from the levels laid down;

Whereas, in special cases, particularly of volatile liquid or gaseous fumigants, Member States should be authorized to permit for cereals, not intended for immediate consumption, higher maximum levels than those laid down, provided that a suitable check is made to ensure that these products are not placed at the disposal of the end user or consumer until the residue content thereof no longer exceeds the maximum permissible levels;

Whereas it is not necessary to apply this Directive to products intended for export to third countries, for the manufacture of products other than foodstuffs or for sowing;

Whereas Member States should be allowed the reduce temporarily the levels laid down if they unexpectedly prove to be dangerous to human or animal health;

Whereas it is appropriate in that case to establish close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on Plant Health;

Whereas, in order to guarantee compliance with this Directive when the products in question are put into circulation, the Member States must provide for suitable control measures;

Whereas Community methods of sampling and...

This text has been adopted from EUR-Lex.

This page is also available in a full version containing de geconsolideerde versie, the legal context, de Europese rechtsgrond, other dossiers related to the dossier at hand and finally the related cases of the European Court of Justice.