Brian Jeffrey
Increased Inspections on Vietnamese Durian by EU
The European Union (EU) has opted to temporarily raise its border inspection rate for Vietnamese durian from 10% to 20%.
This decision comes after the EU detected elevated levels of various pesticide residues, including Carbendazim, Fipronil, Azoxystrobin, Dimethomorph, Metalaxyl, Lambda-cyhalothrin, and Acetamiprid in the fruit. These levels have significantly surpassed the EU’s permitted maximum residue limits (MRLs), which range from 0.005 to 0.1 mg/kg, with Vietnamese durian showing levels as high as 6.3 mg/kg.
Ngo Xuan Nam, a deputy director at SPS Vietnam within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), explained that export markets are continuously updating farmers regarding new food hygiene and sanitary regulations affecting agricultural imports.
So far, over 1,000 notices related to food safety have been issued, with SPS Office providing multiple updates daily, some of which are extensive documents. Notably, standards for residue levels have also tightened for other products such as dragonfruit and coffee.
For instance, Japan released ten new standards in November 2024, with certain residue limits being reduced dramatically—by as much as ten times.
These revised standards primarily originate from markets that Vietnam exports to, such as EU member states, South Korea, Japan, and China.
Bui Xuan Phong, head of MARD’s Plant Protection Division, emphasized the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. He encouraged farmers to carefully consider the need for chemical usage and to explore alternatives such as pruning and field sanitation before resorting to pesticides.
“Pesticides should be employed only when absolutely necessary, particularly when pest damage poses serious economic risks, and all other control measures fail,” he added.
He reiterated the importance of using approved pesticides properly and cautioned against mixing different products. When used correctly, farmers can ensure their produce meets both local and international market standards.
Additionally, adherence to the ‘four rights’ principle—using the correct chemicals, at the right time, in the proper concentration, and using the right application method—was highlighted as crucial for success.
Nguyen Hoang Son from CropLife also noted that reputable sales agents possess the necessary expertise and responsibility for their products. Farmers are advised to consult these agents or read product labels thoroughly for guidance.
