Taiwan MRL Enforcement Policy for 2009 Crop Apple and Pears July 10, 2009 BACKGROUND:  Beginning in January 2009, a stepped up pesticide testing program in the Republic of China (Taiwan) resulted in detections of two pesticides on apples for which no maximum residue limits (MRL) exist in that country.  No MRL violations were reported on pears from the 2008 crop and no violations have yet to be reported from this year's cherry crop. CURRENT SITUATION:  In March 2009 Taiwan re-established an MRL for endosulfan (Thiodan, Thionex) on apples and cherries at 0.5 ppm.  There is no MRL for endosulfan on pears in Taiwan.   NHC staff has analyzed the list of 196 chemicals in the Taiwan pesticide residue screening program based on information from a Chinese-language website maintained by Taiwan's Department of Health.  Most of the chemicals likely t o be used on Pacific Northwest apples and pears and listed as targets in the screening program have MRLs for apples and pears in Taiwan.  However, the following active ingredients on the testing list do not have apple or pear MRLs in Taiwan: dimethoate, methidathion (Supracide) and fenpyroximate (Fujimite).  Three additional products, clothianidin (Clutch), thiamethoxam (Actara) and trifloxystrobin(Flint), are targets of testing and have an MRL in Taiwan for pears but not apples.  As mentioned above, endosulfan (Thiodan, Thionex) has an MRL for apples but not pears.  It is important for shippers to note that the NHC received this list unofficially and we cannot warranty it―or guarantee that it will not change without notice.  Also, it is important to understand that there are still a significant number of crop protection chemicals used on apples and pears which do not have MRLs in Taiwan but are also not currently targets of the residue screening program. CONTACT:  For additional information contact Debbie Carter or Dr. Mike Willett, Northwest Horticultural Council at 509/453-3193. Northwest Horticultural Council 105 South 18th Street, Suite 105 Yakima, Washington 98901, USA Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615 E-mail general@nwhort.org