As of February 22, 2023, the limits of the Emamectin molecule will be strongly reduced, in some cases reaching 0.002 milligrams per Kg. Emamectin is an insecticide active principle (active against many lepidoptera species) widely used in agriculture and allowed by specifications practically for all species. But the new limit risks causing problems for technicians and growers.
“The updated limit is very restrictive and analyses will have to take it into account as of February 22, 2023. Our instruments boast a high degree of sensitivity, so they will have no problem detecting it. But we want to warn technicians and producers so that they can already start assessing doses and times so as not to exceed it," explain Silvia Zuccherelli, Giusy Riciputi and Maverik Bezzi from Sicural.
Over the past few months, Sicural detected positivity on apricots, apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes and lettuce. The active principle is also used on citrus fruit. The new limit is not exactly the same for all species, as it varies up to 0.002 mg/Kg. The Gazzetta Ufficiale (k here to download the document) reports the full chart.
"The new limit is below the usual 0.01 but, thanks to the LC-MS/MS technique and the sensitivity of our instruments, we can detect all residues with the utmost precisions. So far, we used to talk about 'traces' when the value was below 0.01, as of February 22nd we will have to talk about new limits to be complied with."
For further information
Sicural
Via Dismano 2855,
47522 Cesena (FC)
+39 0547 377303
laboratorio@sicural.it
www.sicural.it