China has rejected 10 containers of Australian mung beans after tests revealed the shipment contained glyphosate residues exceeding permitted levels. Paul McIntosh, an agronomist with the Australian Mung Bean Association and Pulse Australia, reported that residue levels from Queensland samples were five times above the allowed limit.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation estimates that glyphosate is used to desiccate about 95% of Australia's mung bean crop before harvest. However, if applied too early, higher chemical residues can remain on the seeds, risking export compliance. McIntosh explained that even when growers follow correct procedures, variability in crop maturity can cause some areas to absorb more glyphosate, leading to maximum residue limit (MRL) issues.

Grower and exporter Clint Allenden noted that Chinese authorities have recently increased enforcement of these regulations. Allenden experimented with alternative harvesting methods on his farm near Banana, Queensland, sourcing equipment from Western Australia in response to the stricter testing.

McIntosh expressed disappointment over the industry's reputation, stating, "[It's] very disappointing for the industry as a whole because we all get hammered with the same brush about that sort of stuff." He also highlighted the challenge growers face: "You could be doing everything right for 90 per cent of the paddock, and 10 per cent of the paddock could be fairly green and suck up a lot of glyphosate. And hey, presto, before you know where you are, you've got an MRL issue."

China remains Australia's main market for mung beans, and while the regulations have always existed, enforcement has become more stringent recently.

Sources