56th Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues Opens in Santiago.
Santiago, Chile – The 56th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) opened this week in Santiago, co-hosted by China and Chile.
Delegates were welcomed by CCPR Chairperson Weili Shan, who highlighted the shared commitment to food safety: “Though oceans and mountains separate us, our mission brings us together.”
The session was inaugurated by Chile’s Agriculture Minister Ignacia Fernández and China’s Chief Agronomist Pan Wenbo. Both underlined the importance of international cooperation—Chile reaffirming its leadership on Codex work, and China stressing efforts to eliminate highly toxic pesticides and ensure safe farm produce.
Codex Chairperson Allan Azegele described CCPR as “a pillar of the Codex system,” noting that its decisions affect farmers, regulators, traders, and consumers worldwide. Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill emphasised that pesticide residues remain a top food safety issue in global trade, reinforcing the urgency of establishing and implementing maximum residue limits (MRLs).
Representatives from FAO and WHO called for broader participation, including consumers and civil society, stressing the ethical responsibility behind technical standards.
Over the week, CCPR will review MRLs for various foods, including milk and okra, assess pesticide reference materials, and advance coordination with the Codex Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues.
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