- According to the AESAN analysis in 2021, 43% of fruit and vegetable samples contained pesticide residues, with 2.5% exceeding legal limits. Additionally, 46 pesticides unauthorized by the EU were found.
- A recent health alert in Spain was triggered by the arrival of a batch of watermelons from outside the common market, containing high levels of methomyl.
- LIFE NextFUMIGREEN promotes food safety by developing natural fumigants derived from plant extracts to control pests in intensive horticultural crops under greenhouses.
Brussels, July 31, 2023. Why is it important to adhere to the European Union guidelines regarding the use of pesticides in food crops?
As per the analysis conducted by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) in 2021, 43% of fruit and vegetable samples contained pesticide residues, with 2.5% exceeding legal limits. Moreover, 46 pesticides unauthorized by the EU were found in the food items, with fruits and vegetables being the most affected, with 121 pesticides found in 43% of the samples.
The European Union has increased regulations and limitations on the use of chemical fumigants, establishing specific norms to reduce exposure to chemical residues and promote safer agricultural practices that are environmentally friendly and protect human health.
Controls on imported food products
However, on July 14, the food safety network Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued an agri-food health alert due to the arrival of a batch of watermelons in Spain from outside the common market with elevated levels of methomyl, a pesticide not authorized in Europe. This incident has rekindled the debate about pesticide contamination in fruits and vegetables.
That is why, at LIFE NextFUMIGREEN, we take this opportunity to reinforce our support and promotion of natural fumigants as a key alternative to chemical pesticides. Fumigants based on organic compounds from renewable sources are highly effective against pests without leaving toxic residues or harming beneficial organisms, playing an essential role in protecting crop health and the ecosystem. They also promote biodiversity by conserving beneficial insects, such as pollinators and natural pest controllers, which are vital for the balance and health of agricultural ecosystems. These benefits contribute to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.
The contribution of LIFE NextFUMIGREEN The European project LIFE NextFUMIGREEN actively promotes food safety by developing natural fumigants derived from plant extracts to control pests in intensive horticultural crops under greenhouses. Led by Fumihogar (www.fumi-hogar.com) in collaboration with the Foundation for Auxiliary Agriculture Technologies (www.fundaciontecnova.com), the Finnova Foundation (www.finnova.eu), B&B Environmental Auditors Advisors (www.bbasesores.com), Comercial Quimica Masso (www.cqmasso.com), and BrioAgro Tech (www.brioagro.es), the project has a total budget of €2,758,921.01, 60% of which is subsidized by the LIFE Programme.
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