16 February 2025, New Delhi: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has urged Indian rice exporters to comply with the European Union’s (EU) newly established maximum residue limit (MRL) for Thiacloprid, an insecticide commonly used to combat stem borers.

In a recent circular, APEDA highlighted that the EU has lowered the MRL for Thiacloprid to 0.01 mg/kg, and this regulation will take effect from May 12, 2025. The decision follows concerns raised by the European Commission, which cited potential health risks, including liver damage, thyroid issues, reproductive harm, and chromosomal abnormalities. Reports also suggest that Thiacloprid may pose human toxicity risks, prompting a stricter stance.

Minimal Impact on India?

While trade experts suggest that Thiacloprid is not widely used in rice farming, it is commonly applied in tea plantations to protect crops from pests. This raises concerns about how the EU’s stricter regulations may impact India’s tea exports, especially since the EU is a key buyer of premium Indian tea.

However, the APEDA directive comes at a time when EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, has hinted at stricter controls on agricultural and food imports, signaling a possible shift in European trade policies.

France Leads the Way

France was the first EU nation to implement these strict regulations on Thiacloprid, introducing its norms on March 6, 2024. Given that France is a major importer of Indian rice, APEDA has stressed the importance of adherence to avoid shipment rejections.

“With the implementation of this notification, Thiacloprid residue levels in rice must be undetectable,” APEDA stated. Rice exporters now face a crucial decision—comply or risk losing access to the lucrative European market.

Published Date: February 17, 2025