EU: Official Controls on Dried Figs From Türkiye
The Commission has published a draft Implementing Regulation amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries. This Regulation would update Annex II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 to include aflatoxins and ochratoxin A as hazards of concern and would establish a 30% frequency of identity and physical checks on consignments of Turkish dried figs entering the Union. No publication date has been set for this regulation.
EU: Plant Protection Products Update
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a recommendation to set import tolerances for difenoconazole in various crops. EFSA concluded that the submitted data are sufficient to derive an MRL proposal of 0.03 mg/kg for the authorized US use in the following products: almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts.
Two European parliamentary committees have published a draft report on ensuring the faster registration and uptake of biological control agents. Among other recommendations, the report calls on the Commission to provide a clear legal definition of biological control agents and a framework for the accelerated authorization of biological control products.
The Official Journal of the European Union has published an Implementing Regulation approving the active substance lysate of Willaertia magna as a low-risk active substance.
The Commission has also published the following new MRLs:
| Substance | Commodity | MRL (mg/kg) |
| Fuberidazole(1) | Fruits, fresh or frozen; tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Ipconazole(1) | Fruits, fresh or frozen; tree nuts | 0.01 |
| S-metolachlor(1) | Fruits, fresh or frozen; tree nuts | 0.01 |
| S-metolachlor(1) | Oilseeds and oilfruits | 0.01 |
| Triflusulfuron(1) | Fruits, fresh or frozen; tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Triflusulfuron(1) | Oilseeds and oilfruits | 0.01 |
| Mepiquat(2) | Grapes | 5 |
(1) This regulation shall apply from January 6, 2026. More information
(2) This regulation shall apply from July 6, 2025. More information
Iran Avoids EU Ban on Pistachio Exports After Compliance Improvements
Based on information from Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture, as reported to the INC by Iranian industry sources, the EU has observed a noticeable improvement in compliance among Iranian pistachio shipments over the past six months (January–June 2025). As a result, it has decided not to impose a ban at this time —although the EU’s six-month monitoring cycle remains in effect, and future decisions will depend on continued compliance.
The EU’s six-month review cycle ensures that countries with a strong compliance record (e.g. fewer RASFF alerts) may face reduced inspection levels, while those with recurring issues could be subject to increased controls or even temporary bans.