[1][2] The MRL is usually determined by repeated (on the order of 10) field trials, where the crop has been treated according to good agricultural practice (GAP) and an appropriate pre harvest interval or withholding period has elapsed.
[citation needed] It follows that adoption of GAP at the farm level must be a priority, and includes the withdrawal of obsolete pesticides.
In the current regulatory environment, it would be wise for cocoa producers to focus only on pest control agents that are permitted for use in the EU and US.
While this is a sound approach for the general environmental impact, it doesn't reflect potential exposure of people handling ornamentals.
[citation needed] Three key points are taken into consideration regarding MRL values in the EU regulation:[4] 1) the amounts of residues found in food must be safe for consumers and must be as low as possible, 2) the European Commission fixes MRLs for all food and animal feed, and 3) the MRLs for all crops and all pesticides can be found in the MRL database on the Commission website.