The issue of pesticide residues on agricultural products is one of the most important issues that concern local and international institutions and regulatory authorities due to its direct impact on human health, environmental safety, and the quality of agricultural products.
Countries around the world exert extensive efforts to monitor the levels of these residues in foods and comply with the limits allowed based on the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Despite the ban or restriction on the use of some highly toxic pesticides in a number of countries, their continued circulation in other countries exacerbates the challenges and raises the probability of health risks that may accumulate over time.
Pesticide residues are generally defined as the minute amounts of pesticides used in agricultural operations that remain on crops after control processes, where parts of them may decompose over time while others remain at varying levels that may accumulate with continuous use, threatening public health by causing chronic poisonings or health disorders affecting the nervous and reproductive systems, and may in some cases be linked to an increased likelihood of serious diseases.
The impact of these substances is not limited to humans alone but extends to include soil and water, causing long-term pollution that reflects on the ecosystem and sustainable development and affects non-target living organisms.
Agricultural trials indicate that misuse of pesticides is among the primary reasons for high residue levels, where some farmers increase the doses believing in their increased efficacy, or neglect the compliance with safety periods before harvesting the crop. Unauthorized or improperly registered pesticides may be used, and frequent spraying within short intervals, poor technical awareness, inadequate storage, and mixing aggravate the problem.
Additionally, crops can be contaminated through aerial drift during spraying of neighboring farms or through contaminated irrigation water, making control and adherence to scientific methods extremely important.
In Jordan, continuous efforts are made to control this phenomenon and adhere to international standards, where the responsible authorities rely on standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission alongside stringent European legislation, which serves as a primary reference for major export markets. The Ministry of Agriculture through the Directorate of Prevention and Plant Health and related entities oversee the regulation of pesticide use and the monitoring of residues in both local and imported agricultural products within the national plan for controlling pesticide residues, focusing on reviewing regulations, educating farmers, developing pesticide registration mechanisms, and enhancing compliance with safety periods.
As part of continued efforts to ensure safe food free of residues reaches the Jordanian consumer, plant health laboratories in the Aqaba economic area conduct thousands of tests on various types of vegetables and fruits coming from dozens of countries.
Despite these measures, international reports have revealed the continued entry of some globally banned pesticides, such as Paraquat, into some agricultural markets at times under unclear trade names, reflecting the ongoing need to strengthen surveillance and develop laboratory capabilities.
The impact of pesticide residues extends to the export sector, as violations cause the rejection of Jordanian agricultural shipments in several markets, including Gulf and European markets, which apply quick and strict warning systems. This results in significant financial losses due to reshipping or destruction and damages the reputation of the Jordanian product and reduces marketing opportunities, in addition to imposing financial burdens on farmers and exporters who are forced to conduct additional tests, obtain conformity certificates, and modify production practices.
Facing this challenge requires a shared commitment among farmers, producers, and regulatory entities through the application of integrated pest management principles, reliance on registered and safe agricultural pesticides, not dealing with banned pesticides, strict compliance with safety periods before harvest, conducting precise laboratory tests before exporting, alongside enhancing training programs and agricultural guidance and raising the awareness of workers in the agricultural sector.
In Conclusion
Pesticide residues represent a major challenge to the quality and competitiveness of Jordanian agricultural products in global markets. However, developing regulations and enhancing surveillance and adhering to good agricultural practices can form a fundamental pillar for improving food safety, boosting consumer confidence, and opening broader horizons for Jordanian exports, enhancing both economic and environmental sustainability.
#Supporting the Jordanian farmer is a national duty that surpasses all duties as it is the main arm of food security#
References and Sources
- World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, MRLs — Codex/FAO-WHO.
- Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 — European Union (Pesticide Residues Regulation).
- Reports, (USDA-FAS reports) on Jordan.
- Survey study / Scientific publications on pesticide residues in Jordanian products.
- Analytical and Compliance Services for Pesticide Residue Analysis SGS Jordan.
- Analytical reviews about RASFF notifications and cases of shipment rejections due to pesticide residues.
