Those with long memories will recall when the report of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR) came out every four years. The report now appears in commendable detail annually—although this volume on 1992 did not appear until January 1994. The report analyses some 3000 food samples for a range of pesticides. Results show:
No residues
were detected in 71% of samples; residues below the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
were detected in 29% of samples, and in 1% of samples the MRL was exceeded.
In bread, the
occurrence of residues has declined from 19% to 8% since 1991.
Organochlorine
residues in milk increased from 55% in 1991 to 65% in 1992—although well
below MRLs: the reason for the increase is not known but will be pursued.
Residues in
potatoes were all below MRLs, but as residues of tecnazene declined, those
of chlorpropham increased.
Five
different pesticides were found in four out of seven samples of
blackcurrants. Because of the high level of consumption of blackcurrant
drinks by children these products will be monitored in 1994.
90% of sweet
oranges contained residues of pesticides and preservatives. Where the fruit
was imported, authorities in the country of origin were informed, and checks
have been made since for oranges of non-EC origin.
49% of
samples of New Zealand lamb contained low levels of DDT residues.
83% of liver
paté contained either PCP or other organochlorines or both. Enquiries
are being followed.
Some lettuce
samples contained residues of pesticides not approved or used closer to
harvest than permitted. HSE will as a result check on the use of pesticides
in lettuce production.
Eels from
some areas continue to manifest high levels of dieldrin.
The UK food industry—principally retailers—supplied additional information for over 5000 samples. Not all the information supplied was accompanied by the appropriate analytical quality control protocols, but this is a useful to supplement MAFF data in trying to identify problems and expand the range of data available.
Consumer access
Should WPPR conduct a statistically valid sampling
programme of the nation’s food for pesticide residues, or should it target and
monitor only particular items of diet as at present? It is rumoured MAFF may
hold an open day at the Pesticide Safety Division for consumers to explore these
and other questions.
Peter Beaumont of the Pesticides Trust [now PAN UK] is now on the WPPR as
a 'consumer member'. So that we can consult, and so that others can be informed,
we are trying to get permission from MAFF to disclose agenda items and working
papers. So far we are still waiting... (PB)
Annual Report of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues: 1992, Supplement to The Pesticides Register 1993, HMSO London, £19.50, 136pp.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 20]