Hortgro Response to new French MRL Restrictions

France published a new national decree on 5 January 2026, following an email from the French Ministry dated 23 December 2025. In this communication, France requested that the European Commission lower maximum residue limits (MRLs) for certain substances and crops, citing potential risks to human health.

In the absence of action by the European Commission under Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, France issued its own decree. This move is widely seen as an attempt to pressure the EU into taking a broader regulatory decision on the affected MRLs.

What does this mean for South African pome and stone fruit growers?

Hortgro Market Access Manager Lindi Benić has reviewed the decree and its accompanying Appendix and assessed their relevance to South African pome and stone fruit exports.

Key findings are as follows:

• Benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl
  These active ingredients were phased out for use in South Africa towards the end of 2025. Only benomyl and carbendazim were previously used in deciduous fruit and have since been removed from Hortgro’s lists. As a result, these substances are not a concern for South African pome and stone fruit growers.
• Glufosinate
  While glufosinate is registered for use in deciduous fruit in South Africa, it is an herbicide and is not used directly on fruit. It is also not included on Hortgro’s lists. Importantly, the French decree only identifies potatoes as an affected crop for glufosinate. There is therefore no impact on pome or stone fruit.
• Mancozeb
  Mancozeb remains a registered product for use on deciduous fruit in South Africa. However, the French decree only lists table grapes in its Appendix and does not include pome or stone fruit. Consequently, this substance also poses no immediate concern for South African pome and stone fruit growers.

 Timing and transitional arrangements

The decree was published on 5 January 2026 and includes a transitional provision:

The provisions of this Order shall not apply to foodstuffs acquired by the importer or the person placing the product on the market no later than one month after the entry into force of this Order. The Order becomes applicable from 5 February 2026

This provides a limited grace period for affected products already in the supply chain.

International process and next steps

At this stage, no WTO notification has been published. As the measure was introduced at the national level, any notification would be issued by France, not the European Union.

Industry body Freshfel has indicated that it will engage with the European Commission regarding the French decree and its broader implications and will provide feedback in an upcoming newsletter.

Hortgro’s position

Based on the current assessment, the French decree does not have a direct impact on South African pome and stone fruit growers. Hortgro will continue to monitor developments closely and will keep growers informed of any changes that may affect exports or market access.

Additional information:

Freshfel Communication (7 January 2026): France suspends imports of foodstuffs

Appendix: Appendix_French Decree_Jan2026

https://www.freshplaza.com/europe/article/9799991/what-products-are-affected-by-the-order-suspending-imports-of-products-containing-residues-of-substances-banned-in-europe/?utm_medium=email