In accordance with Article 1 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1355, the Ministry of Health presents in the following document the control program for pesticide residues in the Czech Republic for the years 2026–2028. The document was prepared by the Ministry of Health, Public Health Protection and Promotion Section, Public Health Protection Department. The document was discussed and approved by the interdepartmental working group on pesticide residues.

On September 1, 2008, Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council on maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides in food of both plant and animal origin and in feed came into force, establishing harmonized rules for pesticide residues at the European Union level (EU).

Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 directly affects public health by setting harmonized maximum residue limits (hereinafter referred to as MRLs) for pesticides in products of plant and animal origin, based on risk assessment and taking into account good agricultural practice, it fulfills the requirement to ensure a high level of protection for the final consumer, which will be the same in all EU Member States. In addition, the Regulation is important for the functioning of the EU internal market in that it ensures a level playing field. The Regulation applies to pesticides used in agriculture both within and outside the EU. It sets out MRLs for a wide range of agricultural products of plant and animal origin or parts thereof covered by Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/62, which replaces Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The new limits take into account the needs of the most sensitive groups of the population, such as infants and children. An important principle is that food and feed safety takes precedence over plant protection. The regulation is continuously amended on the basis of scientific evidence and opinions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

A necessary condition for the implementation of this regulation is the exercise of official supervision in the area of pesticide residues. In order to ensure a uniform system, but taking into account national specificities, the regulation requires Member States to draw up multi-annual national pesticide residue control programs, which are updated and evaluated as necessary. These national pesticide residue control programs are submitted to the European Commission (DG SANTE) and all Member States and are also made available to the public.

• Multiannual control plan for pesticide residues 2026 – 2028, Czech Republic (2025)

Sorce: Víceletý kontrolní plán pro rezidua pesticidů 2026 – 2028, Česká republika – Bezpečnost potravin