Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Pesticide Residues Committee publishes 2006 annual report
The Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) publishes their 2006 annual report today at the BA Festival of Science held at the University of York.
Dr Ian Brown chairman of the York based committee, speaking at
the Festival of Science said:
"The results of the 2006
monitoring programme show we did not detect pesticide residues in
65.2% of the food we sampled and 1.7% contained residues above the
permitted maximum levels. We carried out full risk assessments of
these cases, which included looking at the most vulnerable people
such as children and the elderly. This year, as in all recent
years, nearly all the residues we found were not likely to affect
people's health. However, we must follow up any problems we
identify to maintain the high standards of protection we currently have.
"I can understand that some people have concerns about pesticide residues in their food, but as a doctor I cannot overemphasise the importance of continuing to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Scientific evidence shows that the health benefits far outweigh any concerns about pesticide residues."
3562 samples of both imported and UK produced food were collected in 2006 from many sources including shops, markets, ports and wholesale suppliers and tested for a wide range of different pesticides. Results were published every 3 months and then summarised at the end of the year in this annual report.
As well as detailing the results of the monitoring programme the report provides information about the role of the independent committee and their work throughout 2006. The committee meet in York four times a year. Every year they hold an open meeting where members of the public join them to discuss pesticide residues in food.
The annual report and the quarterly reports can be viewed on the PRC website at http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=1937, and from the committee's secretariat which is based in York.
Notes for editors
1. Pesticide Residues Committee advises
Ministers, the Pesticides Safety Directorate and the Food
Standards Agency and is chaired by Dr Ian Brown (OBE BSc Agric,
FRCP, FFOM), consultant occupational physician and toxicologist at
Southampton University Hospitals. It was reconstituted in 2000
with an entirely independent membership.
2. The annual report covers the 2006 monitoring programme. The
report summarises the findings from 37 surveys involving fruit and
vegetables, animal products, cereal products and some processed
products like soya milk, orange juice and infant food.
Main
findings:
* 3562 samples were tested
* 98.3% of the
produce tested either didn't contain residues that we looked
for or contained residues within the maximum residue levels
*
65.2% of the produce tested did not contain residues that we
looked for
* 1.7% of produce tested contained residues above
the MRL
* 1547 samples were from the UK
* 2 (0.1%) of the
UK samples contained residues above the MRL.
* No residues
were found in: milk, cauliflower, bacon, cheese and shellfish.
3. The membership and terms of reference of the PRC are included in the report.
4. The budget for the PRC programme is currently about £2m per year. Members of the public can call 01904 455775 to get information from the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) about pesticide residues in food.
5. The Annual Report and the Quarterly Reports are available on the PRC website http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp. They can also be obtained free of charge by telephoning 01904 455756 or by writing to Room 308, Mallard House, Kings Pool, 3 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX. Email prc@psd.defra.gsi.gov.uk
6. The PRC has also produced a leaflet about the monitoring programme which can be obtained free of charge from the same address.
7. The next PRC meeting on 31 October 2007 will be held in York and will be open to observers (although numbers are limited by the space available). If you would like to attend then register your interest with the secretariat (contact details at point 5).
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