Background to MRLs
Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are the maximum legal levels for residues of agricultural compounds in food for sale in New Zealand. As new products and uses are registered, new MRLs are set and existing MRLs are adjusted as needed to ensure that residue levels remain as low as practicable without compromising the ability for the chemical to successfully do what is intended.
MRLs are established for agricultural compounds to support good agricultural practice in New Zealand while ensuring risks associated with food safety are effectively managed.
MRLs may also be proposed to support the importation of food into New Zealand.
What's being proposed?
Proposals for this consultation include:
- new and amended MRLs for 15 agricultural compounds (agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines, and vertebrate toxic agents)
- 4 proposals for new or amended exemptions from compliance with an MRL.
Full details are in the consultation document.
Consultation document
Proposals to Amend the Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds Food Notice December 2018 [PDF, 435 KB]
Have your say
New Zealand Food Safety is inviting public comment on the changes proposed to the Food Notice. For each compound for which a comment is made, answer these questions:
- On balance, do you oppose any of the commodity MRLs proposed for this compound?
- Do you oppose an MRL being set at all for this compound for the commodity?
- If an MRL is to be set for this compound for the commodity, do you disagree with the particular level proposed? If so, why do you disagree?
Making your submission
Email your feedback on the consultation document by 5pm on 6 August 2019 to ACVM.Consultation@mpi.govt.nz
While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:
MRL Amendments
ACVM Programmes and Appraisals
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
What to include
Make sure you include in your submission:
- the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
- your name and title (if applicable)
- your organisation's name (if applicable)
- your address
- the answers to the questions listed above under 'Have your say' for each compound you are commenting on.
Submissions are public information
Note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA.
Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submissions, such as information being commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. MPI will take such indications into account when determining whether or not to release the information. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman.
