ASEAN member countries

A majority of ASEAN member countries are basically food exporters which rely on using agrochemicals to grow high-quality produce. The use of pesticides may result in residues on food and feed items. There were several reports on findings of pesticide residues in agricultural produce in the export countries residue levels were found in several commodities with wide variations in amoimts and types of pesticide. Detailed information revealed that pesticide residues in some commodities were found to be above Codex MRLs as illustrated in Table II. 

Such collaboration could assist ASEAN member countries in establishing more MRLs and increase their competency in performing the work. 

ASEAN member countries are establishing a common market in order to facilitate a free movement of goods within the borders of the association [20]. As a consequence, a product which is marketed in a less hot and humid ASEAN member state could easily be distributed to another country which is very hot and humid. Therefore, the hottest and most humid part of the common market determines the stability testing condition. 

A list of the key climatic parameters measured and calculated for all ASEAN member countries (Table 4.4) facilitates the selection of the most loading place. 

Table 4.4 Climatic data for ASEAN member countries...

The degree of variation narrows a little at the sub-regional level since subregional mechanisms try to harmonise policies and programmes among their members. For instance, ASEAN has a very clear vision for its member-countries and Southeast Asia as laid out in ASEAN Vision 2020. It envisions a peaceful,... 

In Asia, ICEM has 23 affiliates in four member countries of ASEAN, namely Indonesia (1), Malaysia (9), the Philippines (4), Singapore (2), and Thailand (7). 

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A regional economic development association established in 1967 by five original member countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Brunei joined on 8 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Laos and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. 

Pesticides proposed for setting up ASEAN MRLs should have registered uses in all member countries. 

If Codex MRLs are not available, member countries could propose MRLs to the ASEAN EWG for consideration with supporting data based on Codex procedure. 

In case that deletion was due to lack of supporting data, the member countries were requested to submit inputs on the earlier harmonized ASEAN MRLs. 

ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Current members include also Brunei and Darussalam (joined in 1984), Vietnam (joined in 1995), Laos and Myanmar (joined in 1997), and Cambodia (joined in 1999). The aims and purposes of ASEAN involve cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational, and other fields [54]. Among other cooperation schemes the ASEAN countries have also developed their own GMP guidelines, which were issued in 1984 [55]. 

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