USDBC and North Hill Group Collaborate on MRL Pilot Project in Vietnam

USDBC has signed an agreement with the North Hill Group (NHG) to create a template for addressing current and future issues related to changes in global crop protection policies that could limit market access for dry beans. Specifically NHG will look at how the movement to enforce zero or very low tolerance in the form of an MRL (maximum residue level) on the use of pesticides/herbicides in Vietnam could have a negative impact on our ability to export to this market. Vietnam is not the only country notifying zero or low tolerance MRLs but this initiative will serve as a template for us to expand this work to other parts of the world.

Specifically this project will; study the current crop protection usage and trends by US dry bean producers, look at recent changes to crop protection policies in Vietnam and the political, scientific, and technical drivers of these policies, changes to MRL testing protocols, potential MRL changes in other Southeast Asian countries, imminent threats and likely scenarios and advocacy options. The ultimate goal is to ensure that tolerances on crop protection products are based on sound science and that we can get back to a harmonized approach, reliant on CODEX, to prevent market disruption. NHG is a boutique consulting firm specializing in global market access, government and regulatory affairs for food and agricultural sectors. We will be sharing project progress.