New Zealand proposes to amend its maximum residue levels for agricultural compounds in food products, including cattle milk, poultry meat, and barley grain, to reflect updated safety thresholds for pesticide residues.
New Zealand Tightens Rules on Pesticide Residues in Food
Maximum residue levels updated for milk, meat, and grain products.
Key limit changes
What changed
New cefuroxime limits set at 0.01 mg/kg in cattle milk and 0.02 mg/kg in cattle fat.
Marbofloxacin limits increased from 0.015 to 0.1 mg/kg in cattle and pig liver.
Nicarbazin reduced from 15 to 8 mg/kg in poultry edible offal.
Lasalocid renamed to ‘lasalocid sodium’ with new marker residue definition.
Crop references updated for myclobutanil and proquinazid to align with Codex standards.
Who it affects
Food importers must ensure products meet new MRL requirements for agricultural compounds.
Dairy producers must comply with new 0.01 mg/kg cefuroxime limit in cattle milk.
Poultry producers must adhere to reduced nicarbazin limit of 8 mg/kg in edible offal.
Grain farmers must follow new chlorotoluron limit of 0.01 mg/kg in barley and wheat.
Compliance Answer: Proposed Amendments to New Zealand’s Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for Agricultural Compounds
Direct Answer
New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is proposing amendments to the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice to update MRLs for agricultural compounds in food products, including cattle milk, poultry meat, and barley grain. These changes aim to reflect updated safety thresholds, align with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), and ensure compliance with the Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations 20151. The proposals include revisions to MRLs for specific compounds (e.g., lasalocid sodium, dicamba, myclobutanil) and the removal of entries where analytical methods are insufficient (e.g., hydrocortisone aceponate)1.
Regulation Analysis
1. Legal Framework for MRLs in New Zealand
The Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations 2015 establish the legal basis for setting MRLs for agricultural compounds in food. Key provisions include:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Threshold/Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Act 2014, s 405 | Empowers the Director-General of MPI to issue the Food Notice setting MRLs for agricultural compounds. MRLs must align with international best practices for dietary intake assessment1. | Not specified | MPI Director-General |
| Food Regulations 2015, Part 6 | Requires food to comply with MRLs specified in the Notice or default to 0.1 mg/kg if no MRL is set1. Imported food may comply with Codex MRLs or the Notice1. | Default MRL: 0.1 mg/kg | NZFS |
| Regulation 144 | Prohibits food from containing residues exceeding: (a) MRLs in the Notice, (b) default 0.1 mg/kg, or (c) Codex MRLs for imports1. | Enforced for all food sold in NZ | NZFS |
| Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) | MRLs are determined based on the highest authorised GAP use ("critical GAP") to ensure residues are minimised without compromising efficacy1. Chronic dietary exposure is assessed via National Estimated Daily Intake (NEDI)1. | NEDI calculated per WHO guidelines1 | NZFS |
2. Proposed Amendments to MRLs
The discussion paper outlines specific changes to MRLs for agricultural compounds in Schedule 1 of the Notice. Key proposals include:
A. Amendments to Specific Compounds
| Compound | Proposed Change | Rationale | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dicamba | New MRLs for poultry commodities: 0.01 mg/kg (eggs), 0.02 mg/kg (poultry meat), 0.04 mg/kg (poultry fat), 0.07 mg/kg (poultry offal). | Supports GAP use on pasture and animal feed crops1. | 1 |
| Hydrocortisone Aceponate | Removal of MRL entry for hydrocortisone aceponate. | Current analytical methods cannot distinguish between endogenous and exogenous hydrocortisone, making GAP monitoring unreliable1. | 1 |
| Lasalocid Sodium | Revised MRLs: 0.02 mg/kg (cattle fat/kidney), 0.1 mg/kg (cattle liver), 0.01 mg/kg (cattle meat), 0.005 mg/kg (milk), 0.6 mg/kg (poultry fat/skin). Removal of egg MRL. | Aligns with international standards (e.g., Codex, Australia) and reflects GAP use in cattle/goats/poultry (not laying hens)1. | 1 |
| Myclobutanil | Renamed MRL for cucurbits (inedible peel) to "Cucurbits – Melons, Pumpkins and Winter Squashes" to align with Codex Crop Grouping 11B1. | Harmonisation with international crop classifications1. | 1 |
| Trifloxystrobin | Renamed MRL for cucurbits (inedible peel) to "Cucurbits – Melons, Pumpkins and Winter Squashes"1. | Harmonisation with Codex standards1. | 1 |
| Ethanol | New entry in Schedule 3 (compounds with no MRL requirement) for ethanol used in dairy teat wipes1. | Residues are negligible and pose no dietary risk1. | 1 |
B. International Alignment
- MRLs are compared against Codex Alimentarius and other jurisdictions (e.g., Australia, EU, US) to ensure trade compliance1.
- Example: Lasalocid sodium MRLs are adjusted to match Codex (poultry: 0.4–1.2 mg/kg) and Australia (cattle milk: 0.01 mg/kg)1.
3. Compliance and Risk Assessment Process
A. Determining MRLs
- Establish GAP: NZFS evaluates efficacy, crop/animal safety, and authorised use patterns1.
- Critical GAP: Identify the highest authorised dose/application rate likely to produce the highest residues1.
- Residue Analysis: Measure residues in food commodities from treated crops/animals1.
- Dietary Risk Assessment:
- Set MRL: Finalise MRLs based on GAP, residue data, and dietary risk1.
B. Public Consultation
- NZFS invites submissions on the proposed amendments, including agreement/disagreement with MRL changes and supporting data1.
- Submissions close on 6 October 2025 (publication date of the discussion paper)1.
Summary Answer
New Zealand is proposing amendments to the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds) Food Notice under the Food Act 2014 to update MRLs for compounds like dicamba, lasalocid sodium, and myclobutanil in cattle milk, poultry meat, and barley grain1. The changes aim to:
- Reflect Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and ensure residues are minimised without compromising efficacy1.
- Align with international standards (e.g., Codex, Australia) to facilitate trade1.
- Remove entries (e.g., hydrocortisone aceponate) where analytical methods are insufficient1.
- Harmonise crop classifications (e.g., cucurbits) with Codex Crop Grouping 11B1.
The Food Regulations 2015 require compliance with MRLs or a default 0.1 mg/kg limit, with dietary risk assessed via NEDI calculations1. Public submissions are invited until 6 October 20251. All proposed changes are grounded in domestic GAP and international best practices1.
Sources
- ↩ WTO SPS notification 25-06797 — New Zealand https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/SPS/NZL/25_06797_00_e.pdf