The Philippines through the Department of Agriculture- Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority hosted the 25th Meeting of the Expert Working Group on the Harmonization of Maximum Residue Limits (EWG-MRLs) of Pesticides among ASEAN Countries on 24-25 May 2021.

FPA Executive Director Wilfredo Roldan, led the Philippine delegation composed of technical staff from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

“We set MRLs to regulate the highest amount of pesticide residue expected in foods. We strive to establish an ASEAN MRL that is aligned with international standards,” Dir. Roldan said during his opening remarks, as he also served as Chairperson of the event.

“It is our responsibility to ensure compliance with a harmonized set of requirements by the farmers, retailers, distributors, and importers in our respective country for us to produce foods that are safe for consumption,” Dir. Roldan added.

Moreover, Dir. Roldan expects that the meeting would allow ASEAN countries to undertake mutual cooperation and unity to strengthen the region’s capacity to penetrate the international market through safe and quality agricultural exports.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amelia Tajada, FPA Consultant, will be facilitating the discussion as well as providing technical inputs during the meeting.

Also present in the virtual meeting are representatives from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), CropLife Asia, Crop Protection Association of the Philippines, Croplife Philippines.