The challenges faced worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic are still visible, as well as the measures in order to adapt or re-adapt in the fast-changing environment of the pandemic.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the Revision of the Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives under the Food Sanitation Act (revision of agricultural chemical residue standards).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the Procedure for temporary measures to accept scanned or hard copies of export certificates.

The report of the Standing Committee of the Section ‘Phytopharmaceuticals’, held on March 23-24, 2020, has been published (see previous post).

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Commissions Implementing Regulation concerning the non-renewal of approval of the active substances bromoxynil and mancozeb, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, and amending the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the Reasoned Opinion on the Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for fluopyram.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the conclusions of two assessments on the risk posed to humans by residues of multiple pesticides in food.

On April 21, 2020, Ecuador approved the Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes four countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu notified the World Trade Organization of the Temporary Alternative Arrangements of the Presentation of Original Veterinary and Phytosanitary Certificates in the Condition of COVID-19 Pandemic.