GERMANY

Capital: Berlin
Population: 82,330,000
Official Language(s): German
Currency: Euro

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLS)

Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs

Pear MRLs in Top Markets - February 13, 2012

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      As a member of the European Union (EU) Germany applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not regulated by the EU.

      DPA (diphenylamine):  In November 2009, the EU Commission made an unanticipated decision to stop the sale of products containing DPA (used in the U.S. for scald control on apples) effective May 30, 2010.  EU maximum residue levels will be maintained through the end of the 2010-2011 marketing season and perhaps beyond.  A legal challenge to this decision has been mounted by the EU DPA Task Force and additional residue studies are underway to address questions raised in the EU risk assessment.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      Germany actively monitors residue levels. Official labs and importers conduct random sample tests.

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      The EU permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac on apples and pears (EC directive 95/2/EC).

      Morpholine is not allowed to be present as an additive to waxes or other food coatings.  There is active enforcement of this prohibition.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

All producers and importers must comply with European Commission regulations regarding the production, labeling, certification and control of organic foods.  Please refer to the Organic Fruit Regulations section of the European Union page of this manual for more information. 

IV. TARIFFS

    As a member of the European Union  (EU), Germany imposes the EU's tariff schedules and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

      European Union (EU) labeling requirements apply.  Please refer to the labeling requirements in the EU chapter.

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

    C. Currency Issues:

      None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      Please refer to the EU chapter for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.

    E. Other trade restrictions:

      Germany has adopted a strict recycling and packaging law. All packaging materials must be easily recyclable. There also are restrictions on the type of pallets allowed. To reduce shipping and cost problems, boxes of apples should be delivered on Europallets, sized 80cm x 120cm. Information on recycling requirements can be obtained from: Duales System Deutschland, Postfach 90 01 51, 51111 Koln. Telephone: (49-2203) 937-0. Facsimile: (49-2203) 937-190.

      Please refer to the EU chapter for information on solid wood packing material regulations.

VI. SUBSIDIES

The German government supports producers through a support price system purchasing product if domestic prices fall below EU-determined levels.  Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Maria Kraus
MK2 Maketing & Kommunikation
Bonn Germany
Voice:   011-49-228-943787-0
Fax:      011-49-228-943787-7
E-mail:  maria.kraus@mk-2.com  

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental: 

IX. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Germany

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615

E-mail general@nwhort.org