New EU Regulation on Acetamiprid MRLs Coming into Force in August 2025
The European Union has published new regulations regarding the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for the pesticide active substance Acetamiprid, effective from the 19th of August 2025. This update, formalized in Regulation (EU) 2025/158, maintains most previously established MRLs, but continues to reinforce the EU’s commitment to food safety and consumer protection, significantly decreasing the MRLS in many key crops, especially fruits and vegetables.
What is Acetamiprid?
Acetamiprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in agriculture to control a range of sucking insects such as aphids, whiteflies and certain beetles. It acts on the nervous system of insects and is valued for its effectiveness and relatively low toxicity to mammals. Acetamiprid is a vital tool for farmers protecting crops like citrus fruits, berries, apples, and leafy vegetables.
Key Details of the 2025 MRL Regulation
- Regulation Reference: Reg. (EU) 2025/158, following the draft PLAN/2024/2431.
- Scope: Applies to the sum of acetamiprid and its metabolite N-desmethyl-acetamiprid, expressed as acetamiprid, for all food and feed products except honey.
- Implementation Date: The new regulation is scheduled to become applicable in the 19th of August 2025.
- Review Clause: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has identified missing data on certain residue trials. The Commission will review the MRLs again if new data is submitted by early 2027, or will take the absence of such data into account during the next review.
Summary of MRL Changes for 2025
Analysis of the official MRL tables shows that the 2025 regulation does not introduce significant changes to the existing MRLs for acetamiprid across major fruits and vegetables. The limits remain consistent with those set in the previous regulation (2019/88), reflecting the EU’s ongoing risk assessment and monitoring process.
Key MRL Changes for 2025
While the list of crops that the MRLs will be changing from mid-August onwards is long, we selected and displayed below 10 important crops impacted by the new MRL adjustments for Acetamiprid:
|
Product |
Previous MRL (2019) |
New MRL (2025) |
Change |
|
Spinach |
0.3 mg/kg |
0.05 mg/kg |
↓ -0.25 |
|
Lettuce |
1.5 mg/kg |
0.2 mg/kg |
↓ -1.3 |
|
Strawberries |
1.0 mg/kg |
0.4 mg/kg |
↓ -0.6 |
|
Tomatoes |
0.7 mg/kg |
0.4 mg/kg |
↓ -0.3 |
|
Apples |
0.9 mg/kg |
0.5 mg/kg |
↓ -0.4 |
|
Grapes |
1.0 mg/kg |
0.5 mg/kg |
↓ -0.5 |
|
Peppers (Sweet) |
1.5 mg/kg |
0.4 mg/kg |
↓ -1.1 |
|
Cucumbers |
0.7 mg/kg |
0.2 mg/kg |
↓ -0.5 |
|
Blueberries |
1.0 mg/kg |
0.3 mg/kg |
↓ -0.7 |
|
Oranges |
0.9 mg/kg |
0.9 mg/kg |
→ 0.0 (unchanged) |
(Source: EU Reg. 2025/158 and the PesticideResidueExport_09-05-2025.xlsx)
Who is Affected by This Regulation? - What Does This Mean For the Farmers
- Farmers and Growers: Must ensure that pesticide applications result in residue levels below the specified MRLs at harvest. This is crucial for market access within the EU and for exports.
- Food Processors and Retailers: Need to verify that sourced products comply with the updated MRLs.
- Importers: Products entering the EU market must meet the same residue standards.
What Measures Should the Stakeholders Affected Take?
- Compliance: Farmers should strictly follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for acetamiprid, including observing pre-harvest intervals and application rates to avoid exceeding MRLs.
- Monitoring: Regular residue testing will continue, with particular attention to crops for which data gaps were identified by EFSA.
- Data Submission: Stakeholders are encouraged to submit additional residue trial data by the deadlines (early 2027) to inform the next review and prevent possible future restrictions.
- Market Access: Non-compliance can result in rejected shipments and market bans, making adherence to MRLs essential for trade.
Conclusion
The 2025 update to the EU’s MRLs for acetamiprid confirms the current residue limits for the vast majority of fruits and vegetables. While no major changes have been made, the regulation underlines the importance of ongoing data collection and adherence to best practices in pesticide use. Farmers, exporters, and food businesses should remain vigilant, keep records of pesticide use, and stay informed about future reviews.
For more detailed information, consult the official EU regulation and the latest EFSA guidance.
Further reading
Top 5 Crop Diseases and Pest Threats to EU Agriculture in 2025
Food Recall & Compliance Tracker
Pest, Disease and Weed Management
Greenhouse Whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum): Biology, Damage & Control Methods
Factors to Consider Before Tank Mixing Agrochemicals to Prepare the Spray Solution
Guidelines for safe and effective use of chemicals in agriculture for crop protection
