EU Council Food Safety Rules: Irish Presidency Pushes for Qualified Majority Ahead of Coreper Deadline
The Irish Presidency of the EU Council is working to secure a qualified majority among member states on a compromise text to simplify food safety rules, including revised provisions on maximum residue levels and pesticide authorisation timelines, ahead of a Coreper meeting on 23 September 2026.
The Irish Presidency of the EU Council is intensifying consultations with member states in an attempt to secure a qualified majority on a legislative package to simplify EU food safety rules, according to Agence Europe, reporting from Brussels on 16 September 2026.
The Irish Presidency hopes to obtain a negotiating mandate with the European Parliament at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States (Coreper) scheduled for 23 September. However, Agence Europe reports that the text remains under discussion.
A compromise text was examined on 14 September by the EU Council's Antici group. According to Agence Europe, several provisions that had been deleted in previous versions have been reintroduced in the latest draft. The Irish Presidency is reported to still need to refine certain elements before arriving at a text capable of securing the required qualified majority.
Maximum Residue Levels
On maximum residue levels (MRLs), the compromise text returns to a position first presented on 12 June under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council. According to Agence Europe, this provides for the MRLs of certain worrying substances not authorised in the EU to be brought back to the "technical zero" — that is, to the limit of quantification — notably where they pose risks to honey bees or accumulate at levels considered unacceptable in groundwater. The provision requires a prior risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and had appeared in an earlier version of the compromise before being removed.
Active Substance Authorisations
On the authorisation of active substances, the compromise text under discussion would reserve open-ended authorisations solely for substances classified as low-risk. Other substances could receive an authorisation of up to 15 years, with a renewal of up to 25 years. The version examined on 14 September also removes the automatic extension of approval for category 2 carcinogenic or reprotoxic substances, and includes clarifications on the conditions under which member states would assess applications for emergency authorisation.
Member State Positions
Agence Europe reports that several member states reportedly welcomed the compromise text presented at the 14 September meeting, while some delegations were thought to have expressed reservations. Consultations are continuing ahead of Coreper, and the Irish Presidency is expected to present a new version of the text in the coming days in an attempt to settle the final points of disagreement.
Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team.
