Once again the Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) is dismayed at the results of the school fruit and vegetable scheme pesticide residue testing survey released on 17/03/09 by the Pesticide Residues Committee.

The report shows that of the 62 samples of fruit and vegetable analysed 61 of them had pesticide residues present with 50 of those sample containing residues of more than one pesticide.

PAN UK supports this scheme to provide children with fresh fruit and vegetables; however, we are highly concerned that 98% of the samples contain pesticide residues. A number of the pesticides found have been banned from use in the European Union and many of those found are linked to serious potential health problems such as cancer and reproductive problems.

“Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides. If we are to give them the best possible start in life then the fruit and vegetables used for this scheme should be completely residue free” said Nick Mole, Policy Officer with PAN UK.

In the introduction to the report the Chair of the PRC states that “none of the residues found was likely to result in any adverse health effects for schoolchildren.” The use of the term ‘likely’ is worrying and PAN UK believes that this is simply unacceptable for UK children. The UK Government needs to take a far more precautionary approach to this issue and simply not accept fruit and vegetables that contain pesticide residues for use in the school fruit and veg scheme.

"PAN UK does not want to be alarmist about the findings of the report and would encourage all children to eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as they can. But we continue to be concerned about the potential effects of pesticides on developing children.”

For more information please contact:

Nick Mole, PAN UK Policy Officer
Tel: 020 7065 0905
Mob: 07906 892 648
Email: nickmole@pan-uk.org

Notes to editors:

1. Pesticide Action Network UK Works to eliminate the dangers of toxic pesticides, our exposure to them, and their presence in the environment where we live and work. Nationally and globally, PAN UK promotes safer alternatives, the production of healthy food, and sustainable farming.
   
2. Some of the pesticides banned for use in the EU but found as residues on schoolchildren’s fruit and vegetables: Fenthion, Malathion, Methidathion, Parathion
   
3. Table of some of the possible problems associated with pesticide found as residues on schoolchildren’s fruit and vegetables:

2,4-D	Possible carcinogen, possible endocrine Disruptor
Chlorpyrifos	Cholinesterase inhibitor, suspected endocrine disruptor
Cypermethrin	Possible carcinogen
Fenthion	Cholinesterase inhibitor, suspected endocrine disruptor
Imazalil	Carcinogen, developmental or reproductive toxin
Malathion	Possible carcinogen, cholinesterase inhibitor, suspected endocrine disruptor
Methidathion	Possible carcinogen, cholinesterase inhibitor,
Parathion	Possible carcinogen, cholinesterase inhibitor, suspected endocrine disruptor
Thiabendazole Carcinogen	Developmental or reproductive toxin