Introduction

Classes and uses of pesticides

Legal framework

Approval Levels

Scientific information in the regulatory process.

Risk Management Process

Constitution and function of the various organisations

Management of pesticides in the future.

Food Residues....

The Pesticide Residues Committee, (PRC), carries out monitoring of both homeproduced and imported food for pesticide residues. The purpose of this monitoring is threefold: to back up the statutory approvals process for pesticides by checking that no unexpected residues are occurring; to check that residues do not exceed statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs) and to check that human dietary intakes of residues are within acceptable levels. Some 4,000 food samples are analysed each year for a wide range of pesticides with the result that the number of individual pesticide/food combinations is over 170,000. The Committee has an annual surveillance programme covering dietary staples (bread, milk and potatoes) and a rolling programme, which monitors cereals and cereal products, fish and fish products, fruit and vegetables and products of animal origin every few years. If required, the monitoring can be extended to address special problem areas, for example, rapid response targeted surveys as a result of intelligence reports received from other countries. In 2004, the PRC has conducted a rapid response survey on grapes. Samples were collected twice a month by Defra’s

Horticultural Marketing Inspectors from a range of points in the supply chain; wholesale markets, retail depots, ports and import points. The rapid response results were published around two weeks after the last samples were taken each month. Since 2000 the programme has also included “fast foods” in recognition of the increasing dietary contribution to such foods.

The full results of monitoring by the PRC, both quarterly and annual reports, are available on the PRC’s website or by contacting the PRC
secretariat on 01904 455 756.