G/SPS/GEN/1814/Rev.2  
G/TBT/GEN/315  
 
28 May 2021  
(21-4449) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
REQUEST TO SUSPEND THE PROCESSES AND ENTRY INTO FORCE  OF REDUCTIONS  
OF MAXIMUM RESIDUE LIMITS FOR PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS  
DUE TO THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC – G/SPS/GEN/1778/REV .5, G/TBT/GEN/296/ REV.5  
SUBMISSION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following document , received on 10 May  2021, 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 reiterated request to suspend the ongoing legislative procedures to 
establish new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for plant protection products and the application of 
MRLs already established and we would like to provide the followi ng 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 systems, 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 measures 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 this backdrop, the European Union has strived to keep its markets open.  The European 
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 par tners are experiencing serious disruptions of 
their high value chains. Thus, significant 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  2020, the European Union 
announced the EU Global Response Package, allocating EUR 15.6 billion to its COVID -19 Response. 
On 8 June  2020, the Team Europe collective contribution has reached almost EUR 36 billion, 
combining resources from the EU institutions, its member States and financial i nstitutions, including 
the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.  
1.6.  The European Commission has also reviewed its current portfolio of actions across the board 
to support partner countries by adjusting or increasin g financial envelopes, reorienting 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 measures 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, technical assistance, trade finance and 
local currency financing. This includes small and medium enterp rises engaged in food production.  G/SPS/GEN/1814/Rev.2 • G/TBT/GEN/315  
 
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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, dero gations 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 nor 
any consumer in the world.  
1.10.  We also need to be aware that deferred applications and suspensions  of measures 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. The European Union  wishes to reit erate here its commitment for the respect of the Rule 
of Law both for domestic issues and in the international arena.  
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 pandemic, protection of public health 
must be a priority for all our deeply interconnected societies.  
1.12.  The European Commission published its Fa rm 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 European Union looks forward to work with international partners to support the 
global transition to sustainable agri -food systems.  
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