DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (296/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 10 September 2007
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).
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
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