USDA Launches Expanded Chemical Residue Limit Database

USDAs Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has launched an expanded online Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) database to include 426 pesticide and veterinary drug residue tolerances in major export markets for hay, feed, grains, oilseeds, poultry, eggs, meat and dairy. The database, which became available in 2000 and only included fruits and vegetables, is a ready reference tool for researching U.S. and foreign maximum residue limits for chemicals in raw agricultural commodities.

Since the MRL database worked so well for the specialty crop sector to help resolve MRL issues that affected trade, other industries urged us to expand the database to include other agricultural commodities, said Michael W. Yost, administrator, FAS.

The database, which receives approximately 3,000 visits per month primarily from the U.S. specialty crop industry, allows exporters to select markets to compare foreign tolerances to U.S. limits, searching by crop or by chemical. The database does not include processed food products.

FAS administered the database expansion, which it funded under the Market Access Program (MAP), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Administration has proposed increasing annual MAP funding to $225 million in the Farm Bill.