Legislative requirements of pesticide levels in the grain from Ukraine

Abstract

Ukraine often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe, supplies grain to markets across Europe and beyond. To ensure the safety of these grain crops, strict limits are set

for safety indicators, including toxic elements, mycotoxins, radionuclides, and pesticides. In light of the 2023 controversy involving elevated pesticide levels in Ukrainian grain, it is crucial to monitor pesticide levels in Ukrainian grain and feed, compare these with EU regulations, and assess the industry's overall situation. Grain is delivered to storage facilities according to contractual requirements that align with the Ukrainian DSTU "Technical Requirements" and legislation. However, these standards often differ from EU requirements, with contract standards sometimes being more stringent than both ISO and EU regulations. Safety indicators, in particular, show significant discrepancies. For grain exports, GAFTA contracts are commonly used, while FOSFA contracts are preferred for oil crops and oil certification. GMP+ International standards apply to feed and feed products, incorporating many GAFTA and EU regulations but with additional controls on critical quality indicators such as pesticides, aflatoxin B1, heavy metals, and dioxins. In 2023, RASFF reported four instances of pesticide contamination in Ukrainian grain and feed, including clothianidin, chlorpyrifos, glyphosate, and chlormequat, found in brewer’s grain, wheat, barley, and yellow millet. In the first four months of 2024, RASFF recorded another four cases of pesticide contamination (acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, clothianidin, glyphosate) in flax seeds, brewer’s spent grain, and dried apple pulp from Ukraine. A comparison of Ukrainian standards with EU Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005, which sets maximum residue levels for pesticides in food and feed, reveals notable differences. Furthermore, Ukraine still registers chlorpyrifos, a pesticide banned in the EU. As Ukraine seeks EU membership, aligning its legislation with EU standards requires phasing out the use of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl. This would also fall into line with EU Directive 2009/128/EC in establishing a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides.