EU: Plant Protection Products Update
The European Commission has published an implementing regulation on the methods of sampling and analysis, and on the interpretation of results for the official control of pesticide residues in and on food and feed of plant and animal origin. The new regulation, which repeals Directive 2002/63/EC and will apply from January 1, 2027, follows the publication of a new Guidance Document on Analytical Quality Control and Validation Procedures for Pesticide Residues Analysis in Food and Feed in late 2025.
The Commission has also published an implementing regulation concerning a coordinated multiannual control program for 2027, 2028 and 2029 to ensure compliance with pesticide MRLs and to assess the consumer exposure to pesticide residues in and on food of plant and animal origin. This regulation will apply from January 1, 2027. It repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/854, which previously governed the control program, although that regulation will continue to apply until September 1, 2027, for samples taken in 2026.
The EU has also notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the following draft maximum residue levels (MRLs) in or on certain products:
| Substance | Product | MRL (mg/kg) |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Tree nuts | 0.015 |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Stone fruits | 0.01 |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Grapes | 0.03 |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Cranberries | 0.01 |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Dates | 0.01 |
| Alpha-cypermethrin(1) | Figs | 0.01 |
| Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (1) | Stone fruits | 0.01 |
| Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (1) | Grapes | 0.015 |
| Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (1) | Cranberries | 0.01 |
| Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (1) | Dates | 0.01 |
| Cypermethrin (sum of isomers) (1) | Figs | 0.01 |
| Difenoconazole(2) | Tree nuts | 0.03 |
| Difenoconazole(2) | Plums | 0.4 |
| Difenoconazole(2) | Cranberries | 0.6 |
| Difenoconazole(2) | Dates | 0.01 |
| Difenoconazole(2) | Figs | 0.01 |
(1) Deadline for comments to the WTO: May 1, 2026. More information
(2) Deadline for comments to the WTO: May 3, 2026. More information
EU: Discussions on Possible 20% Aflatoxin Controls on Peanuts From Argentina
According to FRUCOM, the European Commission and Member States held a working group meeting in February 2026 on the upcoming revision of the Increased Controls Regulation. One of the proposed changes discussed was the addition of peanuts from Argentina to Annex I of the regulation, with a 20% frequency of aflatoxin checks.
As background, peanuts from Argentina were removed from Annex I in 2023.
EU: Update on Timing of Increased Nickel ML in Pecans
As noted in December 2025, the European Commission is working on raising the maximum level (ML) for nickel in pecans from 3.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. According to FRUCOM, the proposed increase has been internally agreed by the Commission, pending formal approval by the Member States. The vote by Member States is likely to take place in June, rather than February as previously reported. This delay would push the publication of the new ML in the Official Journal back later than July, as was previously estimated. The new MLs will be published as part of a contaminants omnibus.