G/SPS/GEN/1814  
 
15 July 2020 
(20-4814) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
REQUEST TO SUSPEND T HE PROCESSES AND ENT RY INTO FORCE  OF 
REDUCTIONS OF MAXIMU M RESIDUE LIMITS FOR  PLANT PROTECTION PR ODUCTS DUE 
TO THE COVID -19 PAND EMIC – G/SPS/GEN/1778  
SUBMISSION  BY THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following document , received on 10 July 2020, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of the European Union . 
 
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1.1.  We have taken note of the request to suspend the ongoing legislative procedures to establish 
new maximum residue limits (MRLs) and the application  of MRLs already established , and we would 
like to offer the following observations . 
1.2.  The global coronavirus outbreak is a crisis like no other and poses daunting challenges for 
policymakers the world over, especially where the nature of public health syste ms, capacity 
constraints, and limited resources cannot mitigate the spread of the virus and the consequences of 
the pandemic.  
1.3.  As we all have seen, the regular functioning of the society has been profoundly shaken by the 
introduction of protective measure s required to combat the virus, and protect lives and livelihood of 
our citizens. And despite a public eagerness to get back to normal, we are painfully aware that 
efforts will continue to be needed to control the virus during the recovery phase.  
1.4.  Against th is backdrop, the E uropean Union has strived to keep its markets open. The E uropean 
Union has not succumbed to protectionism or reduced its commitment to globalisation, maintaining 
the firm belief that keeping markets open helps everyone —especially the world 's most fragile 
economies . We are aware that some of our trading partners are experienc ing serious disruptions of 
their high value chains. Thus, s ignificant and rapid action was taken to facilitate the continuation of 
trade.  
1.5.  The European Union has not been a passive bystander. On 7 April, the E uropean Union 
announced the EU Global Response Package, allocating EUR 15.6 billion to its COVID -19 Response. 
On 8 June, the Team Europe collective contribution has reached almost EUR 36 billion, combining 
resources from the EU institutions, its member States and financial institutions, including the 
European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  
1.6.  The E uropean Commission  has also reviewed  its current portfolio of actions across the board 
to support partner countries by adjusting or increasing financial envelopes, reori enting projects, 
committing new funds, or re -committing undisbursed funds.  
1.7.  In particular, budget support interventions have been re -assessed to boost financial capacities 
and liquidities of partner countries and secure core government services. These meas ures are 
expected also to have a positive impact on food security and to support the agribusiness sector.  
1.8.  The European Fund for Sustainable Development guarantee will be used to support small 
businesses through working capital and liquidity support, techn ical assistance, trade finance and 
local currency financing. This includes small and medium enterprises engaged in food production.  G/SPS/GEN/181 4 
 
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  1.9.  This is a formidable challenge for everyone and while we wish this was not the case, lowering 
the bar on food and agricultural standards is not the solution. When steps are taken to protect 
consumers ' life and health, derogations are highly unlikely. We cannot compromise on consumers ' 
health even under the worst -case scenario. This is not EU policy or what our consumers demand.  
1.10.  We also need to be aware that deferred applications and suspensions of meas ures in the 
making, would be subject to formal legislative requirements and would need to be endorsed by all 
EU member States and by the European Parliament, requiring a considerable amount of time to be 
processed. Other measures are already applicable.  
1.11.  We are all facing unprecedented circumstances, and we are all navigating unchartered waters, 
trying new approaches and shedding old ones. While we are willing to find suitable and innovative 
approaches to help partners to fight the consequences of the pande mic, protection of public health 
must be a priority for all our deeply interconnected societies.  
1.12.  The European Commission published its Farm to Fork strategy on 20 May  2020. At the heart 
of it is to put food systems on a more sustainable basis, and thus to  be more resilient to crises such 
as COVID -19. The E uropean Union looks forward to work with international partners to support the 
global transition to sustainable agri -food systems.  
 
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