Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/30/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** CI4020

CI4020

**Chile**

**Trade Policy Monitoring**

**Frequently Asked Questions about Pesticides**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Christine M. Sloop, Agricultural Attaché

U.S. Embassy Santiago

**Prepared by:**

Luis Hennicke, Agricultural Specialist

**Report Highlights:**

This document was prepared based on responses given by the Ministry of
Health.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Santiago \[CI1\]

\[CI\]

Table of Contents

[General 3](#general)

# General 

Which government agencies are involved in MRL establishment and what are
their responsibilities?

The Ministry of Health is the primary government agency responsible for
ensuring food safety by establishing the MRL in domestic consumption
food. Their mandate is to protect the health and nutrition of the
population by guaranteeing food safety. Although the Ministry of
Agriculture approves pesticides on crops, the Ministry of Health set the
MRLs on food products.

What laws and regulations guide the development and enforcement of MRLs
for pesticides?

The Sanitary Food Regulation 977/96. Resolution Nº 581 exempt dated
February 23, 1999, Ministry of Health.

**What is the process for the establishment of MRLs?**

Revising and using the Codex's Alimentary Committees recommendations
from the 29^th^ meeting of April 1997, for residues of pesticides.
Taking into account only pesticides that have reached the last step for
approval.

**How frequently is the printed copy or website listing of MRLs
updated?**

There is no established frequency. The Ministry of Health publishes
modifications, as they deem necessary. However, they can decide to
enforce a prohibition of use for a specific pesticide (Resolution 581 Nº
2, Ministry of Health) at any time.

**Is there a defined regulatory process for the establishment of import
MRLs?**

Imports have to comply with the enforced ruling mentioned above.

What residues of pesticides define the MRL? That is, is only the parent
chemical measured or are specific metabolites included?

Only the parent chemical is measured. All the chemical products are
defined in Resolution Nº 581 of 1999.

**Are MRLs established for crop groups, individual crops or both?**

The Ministry of Health establishes MRLs for domestic consumption food
products only. The Ministry of Agriculture establishes MRLs for both,
crop groups and individual crops.

Does your country have a routine surveillance/testing program for
pesticide residues in imported foods? If so, please describe it, i.e.,
number of samples tested, how priorities are identified, are results
made available, sampling and testing procedures, etc.

There is no routine control program.

Does your country accept Codex MRLs? If not, do Codex MRLs play any
role?

The Codex MRLs are accepted. They are used as a reference for the Norm.

**What actions are taken when residues are found above the MRL?**

The food is declared as unsuitable for human consumption. Measures and
sanctions are established in the Sanitary Code.

**Are there default pesticide enforcement levels? What are they?**

Codex

Provide the name, office telephone and email address of a pertinent
government official for user contact purposes

Dr. Carlos Pavletic

Ministry of Health

Phone: (56-2) 630-0575

<cpavletic@minsal.cl>

**Where can we go for Additional information?**

Office for Agricultural Affairs

U.S. Embassy-Santiago

Ph: 56-2-330-3704

Fax: 56-2-330-3203

Email: <agsantiago@usda.gov>