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Proposals to Amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2007

Introduction

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) invites public comment on this discussion document which outlines proposals to amend the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2007.

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) are the maximum legal limits for residues of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand.

MRLs are primarily a tool for monitoring the use of agricultural compounds in accordance with good agricultural practice (GAP). GAP is not explicitly defined or regulated, but is the generally accepted means for producing safe primary produce in a particular location while taking account of climate, pests or diseases and other environmental factors.

MRLs are used to minimise risks to public health by ensuring that chemical residues in food are as low as practicable, without compromising the ability of the chemical to successfully do what is intended.