In
its fifth annual report, the UK government’s residue surveillance programme
has published results for 1993. Over 3,300 samples were analysed of which 34%
contained detectable residues. Of these, 1% of samples were found above the
maximum residue levels (MRL) indicative of poor pesticide application. The
overall results are in line with previous results. The 1993 report also includes
information about the residue monitoring programme for the forthcoming year —
1995 — which is helpful.
Fungicide
excess on lettuce
Results gathered by the Ministry of Agriculture during
1993 and 1994, show that 26% of samples of UK lettuce contained residues of
fungicides indicating misuse. Problems have been associated with chlorothalonil
(not approved for use on lettuce), vinclozolin (approval for use on lettuce
ceased in 1991), tolclofos-methyl (levels above 2 mg/kg have been found
indicating misuse) and dithiocarbamates (found above 5 mg/kg indicating the
harvest interval is not observed). The Ministry of Agriculture has sent a letter
to 500 glasshouse lettuce growers reminding them of the rules and alerting them
to their sampling programme. However, this problem is not new and evidence of
misuse is documented in government publications going back to the late 1980s
(see PN 21 p 15).
Chinese rabbit contamination lingers
The long standing problem, going back into the 1980s,
of organochlorine residues in Chinese rabbit continues. Of 61 samples, 11 were
found to contain residues exceeding the UK MRL for beta-HCH. Further monitoring
at ports of entry will be carried out, but the longer exposure to these levels
occur, the greater the likelihood that chronic effects to consumers may occur.
Annual
Report of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues, 1993, HMSO, UK, 135pp.
OPs
and sheep dips: a resource
In
March this year a conference was held at the Plymouth Postgraduate Medical
School on Farmers’ Ill-Health and OP Sheepdips, organised jointly by
the School and the South West Environmental Protection Agency (SWEPA). The
effects of OP dips have been a major focus for health and agriculture groups in
the South West for some years. The proceedings are now available, in the form of
a small booklet which contains a good collection of papers. Of particular
interest are those by Andrew Watterson of De Montfort University on International
attitudes to OP pesticides;. Dr Jamal of the University of Glasgow on
Neurological and physiological investigation of the possible 20 long term
effects of OPs; and Dr D’Mello of CBDE, Porton Down, on Behavioural change
induced by cholinesterase. Those and the four other papers in the collection
form a handy and up-to-date guide to the problems sheep farmers (and other OP
users) face.
Farmers’
Ill-Health and OP Sheepdips. Conference proceedings: Plymouth Postgraduate
Medical School, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon PL6 8DH/SWEPA, Heat hfield
Farmhouse, Callington, Cornwall PU 7 7HP; 64pp
Earlier
this year it was announced that the UK Agricultural Development and Advisory
Service was to be restructured to save costs, and 18 local offices were to be
closed. Subsequently nearly 150 jobs including 100 consultants have gone. Now
ADAS is to be privatised according to government sources. In spite of the need
for farmers to have readily available, independent and free advice to enable
them to cut down on inputs, it seems that the bulk of ADAS services will go to
those who can afford them rather than those who may need them.
Farmers
Weekly 11/11/94.
The
NFU-Retailer Partnership’s integrated crop management protocols
The
National Farmers Union has invited six leading multiple retailers (CWS Ltd,
Somerfield (formerly Gateway), J. Sainsbury, Safeway, Marks and Spencer, and
Waitrose to address and develop husbandry protocols or guidelines for individual
crops that would be relevant to the whole food industry. It was agreed that
these protocols would incorporate the application of scientifically-based best
agricultural practice, with particular emphasis on reducing whenever possible
the use of chemicals. This involves the promotion and adoption of viable
integrated crop management (1CM) systems and improved protection of the
environment.
The
Protocols
The first of these protocols (fresh carrots and
cauliflower) were published in July 1993. Protocols for fresh market potatoes,
parsnips, leeks, brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, strawberries, onions,
iceberg lettuces and celery were published in the spring of 1994. Protocols for
fresh mushrooms, other field-grown lettuces, culinary root brassicas (sweeds and
turnips), certain protected salad crops (cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers) are in
preparation. It is intended that the initiative will be extended in 1995 to
cover the other protected salad crops (lettuces, celery, and radishes) edible
legumes (beans and peas) and other soft fruit, for example. A link has been
formed with English Apples and Pears Ltd. who are pursuing a similar objective
with their GroAct initiative on top fruit.
As well as growers and retailers, there has been input from
the Ministry of Agriculture-Pesticide Safety Directorate, Institute of Arable
Crop Research, ADAS, Horticultural Research International, Potato Marketing
Board, the Fresh Produce Consortium, Horticultural Development Council,
independent consultants and in particular, the relevant fresh produce
association.
The initiative is important as drafting
the protocols has involved a sharing of input, leading to a greater
understanding of problems within the food chain and reaching a consensus on what
is required for each crop, thereby avoiding the confusion which results from
differing production standards. Initially the protocols describe existing best
agricultural practice but it is intended that they will be updated as reliable
improvements are developed from new technologies or specific research and
development programmes. The aim is to transfer such information and technologies
to growers by various means, including field demonstration. The protocols are
re-issued annually, following a formal review of new developments by informed
farmers and growers, food technologists, the specific fresh produce association,
processors and agronomic consultants. The revised protocols are usually released
in early March.
Key
Points
1 Staff Training Qualification
All management and supervisory staff should be fully aware of the potential
risks to the crop including the major pests and diseases which can reduce
quality and yield. Field staff involved with the decision making need training
in the recognition of pests, diseases, weeds and beneficial insects as routine
monitoring is an essential element in the management of the crops. Retraining
will be required to maintain knowledge levels and cover any new pests or
diseases which may appear.
All staff need to be aware and reminded
of the need to harvest, transport, store and pack produce with the utmost care.
All operators must have had appropriate
training and hold where relevant appropriate certificates of competence.
All pesticide applications must comply
with all UK regulations and growers must ensure that recognised certificates of
competence are held by agrochemical distribution staff, consultants and
independent advisers if their advice is sought regarding the use of
agrochemicals.
2
Audit
The monitoring of pest and disease levels is essential
to the development of 1CM systems. Therefore growers should adhere to the
principle of self-audit by keeping appropriate records, for example, of pest
incidence, pesticide applications, crop diaries etc., to a professional level
capable of satis fying the statutory regulations and the existing retailer
requirements
For
more information: Christopher Wise, National Farmers Union, 22 Long Acre, London
WC2 9LY.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 26, December 1994, page 20]