CropLife Philippines Webinar Educates Independent Banana Growers on Maximum Residue Levels

CropLife Philippines hosted an informative webinar on "Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) for Independent Banana Growers (IBG)" on March 25, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The event was livestreamed on Facebook, drawing viewers from both the Facebook platform and Zoom participants. The webinar aimed to enhance understanding of MRLs and promote good agricultural practices among independent banana growers.

The webinar began with welcome remarks from Veronica T. Tiburcio, President of CropLife Philippines, who also outlined the seminar objectives. She emphasized the importance of understanding pesticide residues and adhering to good agricultural practices (GAP) to ensure safe and sustainable banana production. Director Willy Roldan from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority delivered an inspirational message, encouraging participants to adopt responsible practices in their agricultural endeavors.

Carlo Leo Cabral served as the moderator for the event, facilitating discussions and ensuring a smooth flow of presentations. John Julius P. Manuben from the National Crop Protection Association of the Philippines delivered the first two topics, "Pesticide Residues: Basic Concepts, GAP, PHI & MRL" and "Misconception About MRLs." He provided a foundational understanding of pesticide residues, highlighting key concepts in GAP and maximum residue levels, and addressed common misconceptions about MRLs, clarifying their role in food safety.

Dr. Amelia Tejada spoke on the topic "Dietary Risk Assessment," imparting principles of dietary risk assessment in relation to MRLs. Her presentation aimed to equip participants with knowledge on assessing dietary risks and ensuring consumer safety.

Kristel Alarice R. Aborido from the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, Department of Agriculture, delivered the final topic, "Update on the Review of PNS MRL for Banana and Development." She updated participants on current initiatives to revise the Philippine National Standards for MRL in bananas, highlighting ongoing efforts to align local standards with international guidelines.

The webinar concluded with closing remarks and a summary from Edilberto M. De Luna, Executive Director of CropLife Philippines. He reiterated the importance of understanding MRLs and adhering to good agricultural practices for the benefit of consumers and the agricultural industry.

For those who were unable to attend, the recorded webinar is available on CropLife Philippines' Facebook page and YouTube Channel, providing an opportunity for more independent banana growers to gain valuable insights into MRLs and related topics.