Council Directive 90/642/EEC of 27 November 1990 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables
Modified by
  • Council Directive 93/58/EECof 29 June 1993amending Annex II to Directive 76/895/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables and the Annex to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a first list of maximum levelsCorrigendum to Council Directive 93/58/EEC of 29 June 1993 amending Annex II to Directive 76/895/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables and the Annex to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a first list of maximum levels(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 211 of 23 August 1993), 393L0058393L0058R(01), August 23, 1993
  • Council Directive 94/30/ECof 23 June 1994amending Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables and providing for the establishment of a list of maximum levels, 394L0030, July 23, 1994
  • Council Directive 95/38/ECof 17 July 1995amending Annexes I and II to Directive 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a list of maximum levelsCorrigendum to Council Directive 95/38/EC of 17 July 1995 amending Annexes I and II to Directive 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a list of maximum levels(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 197 of 22 August 1995), 395L0038395L0038R(01), August 22, 1995
  • Council Directive 95/61/ECof 29 November 1995amending Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 395L0061, December 7, 1995
  • Council Directive 96/32/ECof 21 May 1996amending Annex II to Directive 76/895/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables and Annex II to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a list of maximum levels, 396L0032, June 18, 1996
  • Council Directive 97/41/ECof 25 June 1997amending Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on, respectively, fruit and vegetables, cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin, and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 397L0041, July 12, 1997
  • Commission Directive 97/71/ECof 15 December 1997amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 397L0071, December 18, 1997
  • Commission Directive 98/82/ECof 27 October 1998amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 98/82/EC of 27 October 1998 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residue in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Official Journal of the European Communities L 290 of 29 October 1998), 398L0082398L0082R(01), October 29, 1998
  • Commission Directive 1999/65/ECof 24 June 1999amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 399L0065, July 8, 1999
  • Commission Directive 1999/71/ECof 14 July 1999amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 399L0071, July 27, 1999
  • Commission Directive 2000/24/ECof 28 April 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively, 300L0024, May 4, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/42/ECof 22 June 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2000/42/EC of 22 June 2000 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Official Journal of the European Communities L 158 of 30 June 2000), 300L0042300L0042R(01), June 30, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/48/ECof 25 July 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 300L0048, August 3, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/57/ECof 22 September 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 300L0057, September 29, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/58/ECof 22 September 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 300L0058, September 29, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/81/ECof 18 December 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 300L0081, December 22, 2000
  • Commission Directive 2000/82/ECof 20 December 2000amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables, cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 300L0082, January 6, 2001
  • Commission Directive 2001/35/ECof 11 May 2001amending the Annexes to Council Directive 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 301L0035, May 18, 2001
  • Commission Directive 2001/39/ECof 23 May 2001amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively, 301L0039, June 1, 2001
  • Commission Directive 2001/48/ECof 28 June 2001amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 301L0048, July 3, 2001
  • Commission Directive 2001/57/ECof 25 July 2001amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 301L0057, August 1, 2001
  • Commission Directive 2002/5/ECof 30 January 2002amending Annex II to Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 302L0005, February 5, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/23/ECof 26 February 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively, 302L0023, March 7, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/42/ECof 17 May 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (bentazone and pyridate) in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2002/42/EC of 17 May 2002 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (bentazone and pyridate) in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Official Journal of the European Communities L 134 of 22 May 2002), 302L0042302L0042R(01), May 22, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/66/ECof 16 July 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables, cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively(Text with EEA relevance), 302L0066, July 20, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/71/ECof 19 August 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (formothion, dimethoate and oxydemeton-methyl) in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance), 302L0071, August 22, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/76/ECof 6 September 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (metsulfuron methyl) in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance), 302L0076, September 7, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/79/ECof 2 October 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2002/79/EC of 2 October 2002 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Official Journal of the European Communities L 291 of 28 October 2002), 302L0079302L0079R(01), October 28, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/97/ECof 16 December 2002amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (2,4-D, triasulfuron and thifensulfuron methyl) in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance), 302L0097, December 18, 2002
  • Commission Directive 2002/100/ECof 20 December 2002amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC in respect of maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin(Text with EEA relevance), 302L0100, January 7, 2003
  • Council Regulation (EC) No 806/2003of 14 April 2003adapting to Decision 1999/468/EC the provisions relating to committees which assist the Commission in the exercise of its implementing powers laid down in Council instruments adopted in accordance with the consultation procedure (qualified majority), 303R0806, May 16, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2003/62/ECof 20 June 2003amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC in respect of maximum residue levels for hexaconazole, clofentezine, myclobutanyl and prochloraz(Text with EEA relevance), 303L0062, June 21, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2003/60/ECof 18 June 2003amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/60/EC of 18 June 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Official Journal of the European Union L 155 of 24 June 2003), 303L0060303L0060R(02), June 24, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2003/69/ECof 11 July 2003amending the Annex to Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for chlormequat, lambda-cyhalothrin, kresoxim-methyl, azoxystrobin and certain dithiocarbamates(Text with EEA relevance), 303L0069, July 15, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2003/113/ECof 3 December 2003amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/113/EC of 3 December 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Official Journal of the European Union L 324 of 11 December 2003)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/113/EC of 3 December 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Official Journal of the European Union L 324 of 11 December 2003), 303L0113303L0113R(01)303L0113R(02), December 11, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2003/118/ECof 5 December 2003amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for acephate, 2,4-D and parathion-methyl(Text with EEA relevance), 303L0118, December 16, 2003
  • Commission Directive 2004/2/ECof 9 January 2004amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for fenamiphos(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/2/EC of 9 January 2004 amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for fenamiphos(Official Journal of the European Union L 14 of 21 January 2004), 304L0002304L0002R(01), January 21, 2004
  • Commission Directive 2004/59/ECof 23 April 2004amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for bromopropylate residues fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance), 304L0059, April 24, 2004
  • Commission Directive 2004/61/ECof 26 April 2004amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for certain pesticides prohibited for use in the European Community(Text with EEA relevance), 304L0061, April 29, 2004
  • Commission Directive 2004/95/ECof 24 September 2004amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum residues levels of bifenthrin and famoxadone fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance), 304L0095, September 28, 2004
  • Commission Directive 2004/115/ECof 15 December 2004amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/115/EC of 15 December 2004 amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues fixed therein(Official Journal of the European Union L 374 of 22 December 2004)Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/115/EC of 15 December 2004 amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues fixed therein(Official Journal of the European Union L 374 of 22 December 2004), 304L0115304L0115R(01)304L0115R(02), December 22, 2004
  • Commission Directive 2005/37/ECof 3 June 2005amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0037, June 4, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2005/46/ECof 8 July 2005amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for amitraz(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0046, July 9, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2005/48/ECof 23 August 2005amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for certain pesticides in and on cereals and certain products of animal and plant origin(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0048, August 24, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2005/70/ECof 20 October 2005amending Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for certain pesticides in and on cereals and certain products of animal and plant origin(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0070, October 21, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2005/74/ECof 25 October 2005amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum residue levels of ethofumesate, lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl, pymetrozine and thiabendazole fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0074, October 26, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2005/76/ECof 8 November 2005amending Council Directives 90/642/EEC and 86/362/EEC as regards the maximum residue levels of kresoxim-methyl, cyromazine, bifenthrin, metalaxyl and azoxystrobin fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance), 305L0076, November 9, 2005
  • Commission Directive 2006/9/ECof 23 January 2006amending Council Directives 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum residue levels of diquat, fixed therein(Text with EEA relevance), 306L0009, January 26, 2006
  • Commission Directive 2006/4/ECof 26 January 2006amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for carbofuran(Text with EEA relevance), 306L0004, January 27, 2006
Corrected by
  • Corrigendum to Council Directive 93/58/EEC of 29 June 1993 amending Annex II to Directive 76/895/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetables and the Annex to Directive 90/642/EEC relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a first list of maximum levels, 393L0058R(01), August 24, 1994
  • Corrigendum to Council Directive 95/38/EC of 17 July 1995 amending Annexes I and II to Directive 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, and providing for the establishment of a list of maximum levels, 395L0038R(01), June 28, 1996
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 98/82/EC of 27 October 1998 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residue in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively, 398L0082R(01), July 10, 1999
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2000/42/EC of 22 June 2000 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively, 300L0042R(01), October 17, 2000
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2002/42/EC of 17 May 2002 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues (bentazone and pyridate) in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 302L0042R(01), May 30, 2002
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2002/79/EC of 2 October 2002 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 302L0079R(01), December 30, 2003
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/60/EC of 18 June 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 303L0060R(02), January 21, 2004
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/113/EC of 3 December 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 303L0113R(01), April 2, 2004
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2003/113/EC of 3 December 2003 amending the Annexes to Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables, 303L0113R(02), April 8, 2004
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/2/EC of 9 January 2004 amending Council Directives 86/362/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards maximum residue levels for fenamiphos, 304L0002R(01), January 31, 2004
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/115/EC of 15 December 2004 amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues fixed therein, 304L0115R(01), January 7, 2005
  • Corrigendum to Commission Directive 2004/115/EC of 15 December 2004 amending Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum levels for certain pesticide residues fixed therein, 304L0115R(02), March 18, 2005
Council Directiveof 27 November 1990on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables(90/642/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the CommissionOJ No C 46, 25. 2. 1989, p. 5.,Having regard to the opinion of the European ParliamentOJ No C 260, 15. 10. 1990, p. 56.,Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social CommitteeOJ No C 329, 30. 12. 1989, p. 11.,Whereas crop production plays a very important role in the Community:Whereas the yield from that production is continually affected by harmful organisms and weeds;Whereas it is essential to protect plants and plant products against these organisms, not only to prevent a reduction in yield or damage to the products harvested but also to increase agricultural productivity;Whereas one of the most important methods of protecting plants and plant products from the effects of these organisms is the use of chemical pesticides; whereas, however, mandatory maximum levels should be set as low as is consistent with good agricultural practice;Whereas, however, their favourable effect on plant production is not the only effect of these pesticides, since they are generally dangerous substances or preparations with dangerous side-effects;Whereas a large number of these pesticides and of their metabolites or breakdown products may have harmful effects on consumers of plant products; whereas these pesticides should not be used in circumstances which present a risk to human or animal health and to the environment;Whereas the Community should encourage the use of alternative, organic farming methods;Whereas Council Directive 76/895/EEC of 23 November 1976 relating to the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on fruit and vegetablesOJ No L 340, 9. 12. 1976, p. 26., as last amended by Directive 89/186/EECOJ No L 66, 10. 3. 1989, p. 36., fixes maximum levels for the said residues and ensures the free movement throughout the Community of products with levels less than, or equal to, these maximum levels; whereas, however, the said Directive permits Member States, in cases where they consider this justified, to authorize products containing levels higher than the maximum levels to be put into circulation within their own territories;Whereas this last provision leads in some cases to continuing differences between Member States as regards the maximum permissible levels for these pesticide residues, which can help to create barriers to trade and thus hinder the free movement of goods within the Community; whereas, with a view to achieving the single market in 1992, these barriers should be removed;Whereas, for these reasons, the possibility for Member States to authorize higher levels should be withdrawn and maximum levels mandatory in all Member States should be fixed for certain active substances in and on fruit and vegetables, which must be observed when these products are put into circulation;Whereas, again with a view to ensuring the free movement of goods within the Community, mandatory maximum levels should also be fixed for certain pesticides in and on certain other products of plant origin;Whereas, moreover, observance of the maximum levels will ensure that products can move freely and that the health of consumers and of animals is properly protected;Whereas, however, the determination of mandatory maximum levels for pesticide residues requires lengthy technical consideration, so that such levels cannot be imposed immediately upon the pesticide residues regulated by Directive 76/895/EEC;Whereas it is therefore necessary to adopt separate rules providing for these mandatory maximum levels, with a view to transferring pesticide residues from Directive 76/895/EEC to these separate rules progressively as mandatory levels are determined for them;Whereas, accordingly, this Directive does not affect Directive 76/895/EEC, which shall continue to apply to certain pesticide residues not subject to this Directive;Whereas the establishment of a list of pesticide residues and their maximum levels is a matter falling within the competence of the Council; whereas, however, this list should not include pesticide residues still covered by Directive 76/895/EEC;Whereas it is appropriate to apply this Directive to products intended for export to third countries, except in certain cases where it can be established that importing countries require particular treatments which would necessitate higher maximum levels than those fixed for the Community pursuant to this Directive; whereas, however, it is not appropriate to apply this Directive to products intended for the manufacture of products other than foodstuffs and feedingstuffs, or for sowing or planting;Whereas, in order to guarantee compliance with this Directive when products are put into circulation, Member States must take suitable control measures; whereas the necessary inspections should be programmed, carried out and their results reported in accordance with Council Directive 89/397/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the official inspection of foodstuffsOJ No L 186, 30. 6. 1989, p. 23.;Whereas Community methods of sampling and analysis should be established and, in the case of analysis methods, used at least as reference methods; whereas the establishment of these methods is a technical and scientific implementing measure which should be determined by means of a procedure involving close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on Plant Health; whereas the analysis methods should comply with the criteria set out in the Annex to Council Directive 85/591/EEC of 20 December 1985 concerning the introduction of Community methods of sampling and analysis for the monitoring of foodstuffs intended for human consumptionOJ No L 372, 31. 12. 1985, p. 50.;Whereas future modifications of the list of products of plant origin in or on which pesticide residues may be present must be adopted by the Council;Whereas Member States should be allowed to reduce temporarily the levels laid down if they subsequently prove dangerous to human or animal health; whereas it is appropriate in these cases also to establish close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee on Plant Health,HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
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