Regulatory differences in crop protection systems for soybean production: implications of the EU–Mercosur trade agreement
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24425/jppr.2026.159011Abstract
The political conclusion of the EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement in December 2024
marks a significant shift in global agri-food trade and raises fundamental questions on
regulatory coherence in plant protection. This study provides a comprehensive comparative
assessment of crop protection systems in soybean (Glycine max L.) production between
the European Union (represented by Poland) and Mercosur countries. Soybean was
selected due to its strategic importance in global feed supply chains, the EU’s structural
import dependence, and the crop’s high reliance on chemical and biological plant protection
products (PPPs). The analysis reveals pronounced asymmetries in the availability of
authorized
active substances. Mercosur producers have access to 96 herbicide active substances
compared to 16 in Poland (ratio 6 : 1); 96 chemical fungicide active substances
compared to 5 (19 : 1); and 94 chemical insecticide active substances compared to only 2
(47 : 1). The disparity is particularly striking for biological fungicides, where 104 microbial
strains are registered in Mercosur versus 2 in Poland (52 : 1). Even in biological insecticides,
the ratio remains 3 : 1 (9 vs. 3). Approximately 100 active substances used in Mercosur
soybean production are not approved in the EU. Pesticide application intensity in Brazil
(12.63 kg a.s./ha) is 4.7 times higher than the EU average and over seven times higher
than in Poland. In parallel, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for selected substances differ
substantially, in extreme cases by up to 200-fold. These quantitative asymmetries translate
into divergent pest management capacity, resistance management flexibility, and production
resilience. While the EU regulatory framework reflects a precautionary approach with
progressive restriction of active substances, Mercosur systems operate with substantially
broader chemical and biological portfolios enabling diversified and rotation-based control
strategies. The findings demonstrate that regulatory differences – ranging from 6 : 1 to
52 : 1 depending on product category – constitute a structural factor shaping competitiveness,
resistance risk, and food safety governance under the evolving EU–Mercosur trade
framework.
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