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Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Agricultural Compounds

Requirements for food sold in New Zealand

All imported and domestically-produced food sold in New Zealand (except for food imported from Australia) must comply with the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards (the MRL Standards) and amendments.

The MRL Standards list the MRLs for a range of agricultural compounds, but also include a provision for residues of up to 0.1 mg/kg for agricultural compound/food combinations not specifically listed. In addition, the MRL Standards recognise the role of Codex standards for imported food.

Under the MRL Standards, agricultural compound residues in food must:

• Comply with the specific MRLs listed in the MRL Standard (including the "default" MRL of 0.1 mg/kg where no specific MRL is listed), or

• If the food is imported, it may comply with Codex MRLs.

Food imported from or exported to Australia

Under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA), food imported from Australia may be legally sold in New Zealand, so long as it complies with Australian requirements. The converse is also true, so food imported from New Zealand into Australia is legal, so long as it complies with New Zealand requirements. The TTRMA is enshrined in both countries’ legislation through their respective Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Acts.

Therefore, in addition to the options above, food imported from Australia may also comply with Standard 1.4.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and New Zealand food exported to Australia may comply with the MRL Standards.

Requirements for New Zealand primary produce

Dairy producers operating under Product Safety Programmes must also comply with Dairy Standards D115.1:Raw Milk Acceptance and D107.2: Dairy Product Safety.

The Dairy and Plants Group of the NZFSA also maintains a database to provide exporters with information on pesticide MRLs established by New Zealand’s major trading partners. This database can be found on the Plant Products webpage or by following this link.

Food produced under the Animal Products Act must also comply with requirements under the Animal Products Act 1999, which are available from the Animal Products Group. An Animal Products (Residues Specifications) Notice will soon be available on the NZFSA website.

Other links

• International MRL Database for US Specialty Crops