---

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Department takes to ensure that pesticide residue levels on fruits are within (a) UK and (b) EU standards. [196907] Alun Michael: We undertake an extensive programme of surveillance for pesticide residues in food. The programme involves the collection of 4,000 samples from retailers or other points in the distribution chain and their analysis for up to 149 different pesticides, at a cost of approximately £2.2 million a year. The programme covers around 40 different commodities each year. In 2003, 25 different fruits were surveyed. The surveillance programme is overseen by an independent advisory committee--the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC). The results are all published each quarter on the PRC website, at www.prc-uk.org, along with the names of the suppliers of the relevant produce. The UK surveillance programme contributes to a wider EU residues surveillance programme. If residues are found above statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs), then a scientific risk assessment is carried out to check that there is no concern for consumers. These risk assessments are also published by the PRC. The supplier is informed and, for imported produce, the relevant authorities in the exporting country. In cases where there are persistent exceedances of the MRL, or evidence of the use of non-approved products, an enforcement programme is undertaken, involving the collection of samples with a view to prosecution if breaches of the regulations are found.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1031W;426 c1035W; 196907

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Costs Health hazards Food Fruit Pesticides Surveys Residues

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk