Causes of exceeding the residue limit of pesticides in farm products: Changes after the enforcement of Japan’s positive list system in 2006

Abstract

The positive list system of pesticides for farm products has been enforced in Japan since 2006. We started to collect information regarding violations of the residue limits with interest in the influence of the uniform limit (0.01 ppm) setting. Through the end of 2022, we accumulated 201 cases of violations. The major causes of violations were drift, application to non-registered crops, deviation from registered application rules, insufficient washing of spray devices, absorption of POPs from the soil, absorption by subsequent crops, and careless contact with harvested products. The setting of uniform limits had certain influences on residue violations in crops. The GAP system can offer comprehensive solutions for farm activities to avoid or reduce the incidences of pesticide residue violations.