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What is RSS?Tuesday 7 November 2006
The Agency recognises that consumers want pesticide residues reduced further than the current safe levels. As part of the Agency's action plan to minimise pesticide residues in food, guides have been produced on five crops grown in the UK (apples, pears, cereals, potatoes and tomatoes).
These crops were not selected because of any food safety concerns. They include staple diet foods and present examples of particular challenges for residue reduction, and where industry has already made progress. The guides were drafted by ADAS (an agricultural advisory service), in liaison with key industry stakeholders, and have been reviewed following a public consultation.
The guides are intended for a broad audience within the food industry, from farmer to retailer. They aim to raise awareness of the issue of pesticide residues, and to support the industry to deliver existing pesticide residue minimisation initiatives.
The Agency plans to discuss with relevant stakeholders if the guides could be used as source material to extract useful information for specific sectors, such as producers.
Back to topThe guides provide detailed information covering the following areas:
The scope of the guides covers production within the UK using conventional methods. Organic farming, use of genetic modification, and the non-professional use of pesticides are outside their scope.
They offer general advice on the broad approaches to reducing residues that may be explored and a combined reference source of best practice and existing initiatives at the time of writing. They do not include detailed protocols that would require regular updating. Where possible, contact details and web-site addresses have been included so that up-to-date information can be easily found.
The guides were amended in Dec 2006 to make the following change to the text. The wording in the first paragrapgh of the liability disclaimer has been changed to reflect that the information contained within the guides was correct to the best of the author�s knowledge up to March 2006 rather than at time of publication, as stated previously.
Back to topMany producers and their customers are keen to address pesticide residue minimisation and many industry initiatives already exist. Most UK retailers source produce from growers that comply with specific assurance schemes and it is acknowledged that the crop guides will have greatest impact if they are taken forward with food assurance schemes.
Back to topThough the crop guides are based on UK grown crops, it may be possible to apply the principles within the guides more widely. The FSA focused on UK production because it is more practicable, in the first instance, to apply guidance at home rather than abroad. The FSA is exploring options for reducing residues in imported produce in liaison with relevant organisations.
Back to topThe Agency considers that current levels of pesticide residues in the UK food supply do not present a significant concern for consumer health. The benefits of eating a varied, balanced diet, including the consumption of fruit and vegetables as promoted by the 5-a-day campaign, are well established and far outweigh any concern about pesticide residues.
Back to topDownload pdf
(pdf 50KB) Pesticide residue minimisation crop guide: ApplesDownload pdf
(pdf 246KB) Pesticide residue minimisation crop guide: CerealsDownload pdf
(pdf 190KB) Pesticide residue minimisation crop guide: PearsDownload pdf
(pdf 196KB) Pesticide residue minimisation crop guide: PotatoesDownload pdf
(pdf 555KB) Pesticide residue minimisation crop guide: TomatoesDownload pdf
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