Health minister defends decision to relax limit on apple pesticide

Taipei, July 15 (CNA) Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Wednesday that the decision to raise the maximum residue limit for the pesticide fenpropathrin in apples from 0.5 parts per million (ppm) to 3 ppm was based on rigorous scientific evaluation and domestic demand.

Speaking to reporters before a legislative session, Shih said the allowable residue limit for fenpropathrin is 2 ppm in Japan, 3 ppm in South Korea and 5 ppm in the United States, and the new limit under Taiwan's revised standard was broadly in line with those of other major countries.

He also rejected claims that the revision resulted from U.S. pressure or was part of trade negotiations under the Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).

Shih said the revisions followed expert reviews of applications submitted by farmers and businesses.

He added that they were a part of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's revised maximum residue limits (MRLs), announced in April, which covered 174 items, including 120 domestic products and 54 imported products.

In the case of apples, the application to revise the fenpropathrin limit was submitted in 2022, Shih said. Previously, apples were covered under the broader "pome fruit" category and did not have a separate residue standard.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), however, criticized the revision, saying the previous limit had been in place for many years and had ensured food safety.

She said she "strongly opposed" the ministry's "unilateral" decision to raise the limit sixfold, suggesting the change was made under outside pressure.

Lu urged the ministry to reject such pressure and retain the existing 0.5 ppm standard, or explain to the public why it is compromising food safety.