The UK Pesticide Residue Monitoring Process Le processus de surveillance de résidus de pesticides aux Royaume-Uni Docteur Ian Brown Président du comité indépendant de résidus r de pesticide
The UK Pesticide Residue Monitoring Process Doctor Ian Brown Chairman of the independent Pesticide Residues Committee
Overview Monitoring programme Recent innovation Implications of Regulation 396/2005 Transitional measures Communications Reports Open meetings Website and mailing list
Responsibilities The independent Pesticide Residues Committee provides advice on the programme The Pesticides Safety Directorate is the authority responsible for administering and delivering the national programme of testing. Work is overseen by the national Food Standards Agency.
Pesticides Residues Committee programme: Checks compliance with legislative limits (MRLs) Checks that residues in food are within acceptable limits (risk assessment) Backs-up the regulatory process
Budget Breakdown 2 2 million (2.3 million Euros) on analytical work 200 000 (230 000 Euros) on sampling 65 000 (73 000 Euros) on administration of meetings, members expenses etc.) Funded by Defra (60%) Pesticides levy (40%)
The Pesticide Residues Committee Committee 9 individuals Experts on human toxicology and from academic, food industry and consumer backgrounds. Meets 4 times each year- including 2 open meetings. Secretariat Officials who work full-time on pesticides residues monitoring
Programme overview About 40 different foodstuffs surveyed each year 4,000 samples tested each year Around 170,000 individual tests
Who does what Collecting samples Mostly bought by a market research company from normal retail outlets Some collected by officials Analysis 5 laboratories 3 government laboratories 2 commercial laboratories
UK National Plan Risk based approach Aimed at assessing consumer exposure And compliance with current legislation Draft plan on the web-site for comment. http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/prc.asp?id=213 9
The foods we sample Fruit and vegetables EU Surveys Rolling national programme Meat, eggs, dairy foods Fish Bread Baby food and baby milk Processed foods
Follow up action health concerns (intakes over ARfD) notified to other EU countries as Rapid Alert. maximum residue levels notified to retailer and brand owner Issues with GAP taken up with industry representatives or regulatory authority Notify authorities in exporting countries. Unapproved UK use followed up by enforcement officials Brand naming
2007 Findings Overview 1.79% 35.07% 63.14% No residues found Residues at or below the MRL found Residues above the MRL found
2007 Findings Fruit and Vegetables 3% 47% 50% No residues found Residues at or below the MRL found Residues above the MRL found
Impact of 396/2005? Levels set for a much wider set of commodities No MRL set = default level applies More MRLs => More residues detected over the MRL
Communications Annual report Quarterly reports Brand naming policy Monthly reporting Open business meeting Open public meeting Website
Annual Report Aimed at lay reader Accessible, attractive High level summary of results Only document routinely printed in hard copy
Quarterly (3 monthly) Reports Aimed at informed stakeholders Detailed information Conclusions and action taken Statistical tables available for download ALL samples brand- named
Monthly Reporting Certain foods monitored monthly Samples taken one month, results published online the next High level of interest from retailers, importers and producers Reflected in improved results (fewer residues giving intakes over ARfDs and over MRLs) 2009 grapes, pears
Brand Naming
Who reads brand name UK food trade information? Supermarkets Importers and suppliers Informs their purchasing choices and due diligence Exporters to the UK
Open Meetings Open business meeting Normal business meeting, held in public Opportunity for stakeholders to meet and question the Committee Public Open Meeting Held in various locations across the UK Aimed at the general public Lively occasions, often attended by NGOs
Website www.prc-uk.org Emails announcing publication of Results and reports Statements on matters of interest how we take account of uncertainty Implementation of 396/2005 Minutes of all meetings
Contact Details Contact details: Pesticides Residues Committee c/o Health and Safety Executive Mallard House Kings Pool 3, Peasholme Green YORK UK YO31 7PX prc@psd.hse.gsi.gov.uk Tel: +44 1904 455757