I. CHEMICAL
MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLS)
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
As a member of the European Union (EU),
Ireland applies maximum residue levels as established by the EU
as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not regulated
by the EU. Codex standards may also be used as a guideline
where no MRLs are established.
DPA (diphenylamine):
In November 2009, the EU Commission made an unanticipated
decision to stop the sale of products containing DPA (used in
the U.S. for scald control on apples) effective May 30, 2010.
EU maximum residue levels will be maintained through the end of
the 2010-2011 marketing season and perhaps beyond. A legal
challenge to this decision has been mounted by the EU DPA Task
Force and additional residue studies are underway to address
questions raised in the EU risk assessment.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
All fruits and vegetables are monitored for
chemical residues on a regular basis by the Department of
Agriculture and Food's Pesticide Control Service.
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
The EU permits the use of white beeswax,
yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac on
apples and pears (EC directive 95/2/EC).
Morpholine is not
allowed to be present as an additive to waxes or other food
coatings. There is active enforcement of this prohibition.
III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS
All producers and
importers must comply with European Commission regulations
regarding the production, labeling, certification and control of
organic foods. Please refer to the Organic Fruit Regulations
section of the European Union page of this manual for more
information.
IV. TARIFFS
As a member of the European Union (EU), Ireland
imposes the EU's tariff schedule and entry price system on apple,
pear and cherry imports. Please refer to EU chapter for additional
information.
V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
A. Labeling requirements:
B. Licenses and quotas:
EU licensing/quota regulations, if any,
apply. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional
information.
C. Currency Issues:
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
E. Other trade restrictions:
Please refer to the the
EU chapter for information on solid wood packing material
regulations.
VI. SUBSIDIES
None.
VII. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC
NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY
Pear Bureau Northwest:
Andrew Brown
Surrey, ENGLAND
Voice: 011-44-1-483-416136
Fax: 011-44-1-483-426662
E-mail: andrew@andrewbrownassociates.com
VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:
Governmental:
United States:
Ireland:
VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Most shipments from the U.S. have to be
transshipped via a European port because there is no direct
service to Ireland. This raises costs and lengthens shipping time,
sometimes resulting in spoilage.
