Poor countries demand global standards to export some tropical fruits | World | International

The absence of international standards on the maximum residue limits of certain pesticides in tropical fruits such as mango or avocado makes it difficult for them to export from developing countries, according to experts Rome

. Kenya's Inspectorate for Plant Health Inspection Directive, Lucy Namu, said in an act that the Codex Alimentarius, the international body that sets the food standards, has not yet set legal limits to certain basic products.

These are the maximum residue limits, which are the highest levels of legally permitted pesticide residues in food when the substance is properly applied.

Some tropical fruit exporting countries in Latin America in Africa and in Asia came together in a global project to promote the development of these limits at the international level.

For the time being, if they want to sell their products in the United States or the European Union they have to comply with the regulations on pesticide residues that are established there, often they are complex and differ between regions.

In smaller crops such as mango or avocado, there is a lack of data to promote standard setting in poor countries because the chemical industry does not have the same effect. is not interested in generating this information because of the costs involved.

While maximum residue limits do not reflect trends in the use of pesticides in these countries, there is a risk that parasites may not be effectively controlled.

Namu acknowledged that it is "expensive" to detect these remains, a task in which they are working on the aforementioned project with the support of the Fund for the Application of Standards and Trade Promotion (STDF , acronym), Association of International Organizations.

"In the future, we hope to harmonize standards in East Africa and develop protocols for the use of pesticides," said the Kenyan official , who mentioned the need to work with laboratories at the regional level. The private sector to register the pesticides that it manufactures

The STDF chief, Melvin Spreij, emphasized the importance of promoting good practices and preventing entry into the pests and diseases of plants and animals, which can have a negative impact on exports.

The fund he leads has mobilized some US $ 70 million since 2004 for 173 initiatives in developing countries, including to help them comply with international standards, protect the health of consumers and access markets world.