New Pesticide MRLs 2026: What Changes for Farmers and Importers

Key data

Farmers, cooperatives and importers of plant products have until 19 April 2026 to adapt their practices to the new maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by Regulation (EU) 2026/742. This regulation amends Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC) 396/2005 and updates the MRLs for three pesticides: cyflufenamid, fenazaquin and nicotine. The changes may involve both restrictions and increases in the use of these products depending on the crop.

The window for action is narrow: the regulation was published on 31 March 2026 and enters into force just 20 days later. Anyone who does not review their phytosanitary treatment protocols before that date faces sanctions and the rejection of consignments during official controls.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2026/742 amends Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, which is the European framework setting maximum residue limits for pesticides in food and feed of plant and animal origin.

The three pesticides whose MRLs are being updated are:

The changes affect the agricultural products specified in the annexes to the regulation. To find out which specific crops are affected and what the new numerical MRL values are, it is necessary to consult the full text of the Regulation (EU) 2026/742 on EUR-Lex.

The regulation also provides for transitional periods for consignments already in circulation on the date of entry into force, which may provide additional time for products already harvested or in transit.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not merely regulatory: it has direct consequences on the operations and revenues of agricultural or import businesses.

• Consignment rejection: If a batch exceeds the new MRLs during an official control, it may be withdrawn from the market. This implies the total loss of the value of the affected consignment, plus logistics and waste management costs.
• Administrative sanctions: Non-compliance with MRLs may result in sanctions under the national legislation of each Member State transposing the obligations of Regulation (EC) 396/2005.
• Review of phytosanitary protocols: Producers using cyflufenamid, fenazaquin or nicotine must review their field records and applied treatments to verify that foreseeable residues at harvest remain within the new limits.
• Impact on imports: Importers of plant products from third countries must require their suppliers to provide residue analyses updated in accordance with the new MRLs before introducing goods into the EU after 19 April 2026.
• Opportunities: If the new MRLs increase the limits for certain crops, it may become possible to use these pesticides under previously unauthorised conditions, which could reduce treatment costs or expand phytosanitary options.

Who is affected?

• Farmers and producers who apply cyflufenamid, fenazaquin or nicotine to their crops, particularly in the agricultural products listed in the amended Annexes II and III.
• Agricultural cooperatives that manage or market their members' production and must ensure the conformity of batches before sale or export.
• Exporters of plant products from Spain and other EU countries to third countries that require compliance with European MRLs.
• Importers of plant products from third countries introducing goods into the European market who must demonstrate that residues comply with the new limits.
• Phytosanitary advisors and technicians who draw up treatment plans for agricultural holdings and must update their recommendations.
• Analysis laboratories that carry out pesticide residue controls and must update their methods and reference values.

Practical example

A Spanish fruit exporter who routinely applies fenazaquin as an acaricide in apple production has a batch scheduled for delivery to a German customer after 19 April 2026.

If they do not check whether the MRL for fenazaquin in apples has changed under Regulation (EU) 2026/742, and the new limit is more restrictive than the previous one, the batch could be rejected at the border control or at destination. The cost would not only be the loss of the batch's value, but also reputational damage with the customer and the costs of returning or destroying the goods.

The preventive action is straightforward: before 19 April, check the new values in Annex II or III for fenazaquin in apples, compare them with the treatments applied in the last season and, if there is a risk of exceeding the limit, adjust the treatment protocol or carry out a residue analysis of the batch before shipment.

The same reasoning applies to an importer bringing in products from Morocco or Turkey treated with nicotine: they must require their supplier to provide a residue analysis certificate compliant with the new MRLs before introducing the goods into the EU after that date.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether you use or market products treated with cyflufenamid, fenazaquin or nicotine. If none of these three pesticides are in your production or supply chain, this regulation does not directly affect you.
2. Consult the new MRL values in the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/742. Locate the specific crops you produce or import in the amended Annexes II and III and compare the new limits with the previous ones.
3. Review field records and treatments applied in the last season. Calculate whether expected residues at harvest remain below the new MRLs. If there is a risk of exceeding them, adjust the protocol before 19 April 2026.
4. Communicate the changes to your suppliers in third countries. If you import plant products, inform your suppliers of the new limits and require updated residue analyses for batches arriving after the entry into force date.
5. Check whether your consignments in transit or already produced benefit from the transitional period. The regulation provides for possible transitional periods for consignments already in circulation. Consult the full text to find out the exact conditions and document the status of your batches on the date of entry into force.
6. Update phytosanitary treatment plans with your technical advisor. If the new MRLs increase the limits for certain crops, new treatment options may become available that are worth evaluating.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R0742