Moldova will not be affected by France's new requirements for agricultural imports if it complies with the established rules - Alexandru Munteanu
As Prime Minister noted, the new requirements introduced by France apply to all exporting countries, not just Moldova, and France's decision to introduce new terms for the import of certain types of food products will not affect Moldovan economic operators if they comply with the established rules. “We discussed this with French officials at the World Economic Forum in Davos. They do not believe that this will directly affect us. In fact, measures have been taken against all countries, not just Moldova. We were told that this is a response to the toxic products or ingredients that were found in some vegetables or fruits. Knowing our products and their good quality, they do not believe that we will suffer from these measures. We are continuing the dialogue,” said Alexandru Munteanu. He called on domestic producers to be extremely careful and not to allow violations. Prime Minister said that large producers are very cautious in such situations, but they should still check everything again. “ANSA can help us carry out all the necessary checks so that we can be absolutely sure that the products do not contain any pesticides, even at permissible levels,” the head of government stressed. As previously reported, from February 8, France will officially suspend the import and sale on its territory of certain food products originating from outside the EU if they contain detectable residues of five active substances not approved in the EU. This emergency measure applies to fresh and processed products from outside the EU, including apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, blackcurrants, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants, Brussels sprouts, beans, peas, champignons, potatoes, peppers, melons, lettuce, soybeans, barley, oats, rye, wheat, honey, and other bee products, if residues of carbendazim (including in combination with benomyl), thiophanate-methyl, glufosinate, or mancozeb are detected. The decision is based on a decree adopted by the French government in early 2026, which was notified to the World Trade Organization on January 9. The decision is motivated by the need to protect public health. The Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture notes that the active substances mentioned in the notification from the French authorities had previously been excluded from the Moldovan State Register of Plant Protection Products and Fertilizers in accordance with the decisions of the Interdepartmental National Council. The deadlines for implementation and use were as follows: until 2017 for carbendazim (including mixtures with benomyl), September 20, 2020 for glufosinate, October 30, 2022 for thiophanate-methyl, and August 31, 2022 for mancozeb. In this context, the Ministry of Agriculture recommends that exporters and traders intending to supply products to the French market carefully check their compliance, including by testing for the presence of residues of prohibited active substances. Careful monitoring of the supply chain is essential to prevent border blockages or product withdrawals from the market after this measure comes into force in February. The measure applies to both fresh and processed products, and the maximum permissible limits are set at the level of quantitative determination by laboratory methods. // 28.01.2026 — InfoMarket.
