Brussels, 29/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On 24 May, the European Commission published the results of the 2000 programme for control of pesticide residue. These results, which are based on 45,000 samples of fruit, vegetables and cereals, show that 61% of the samples examined did not contain detectable pesticide residue, that in 35% of the samples the maximum safety limits were not reached, and that these limits were reached in the remaining 4%. The Commission believes this does not necessarily imply a health risk for consumers, but shows that progress can still be made in reducing residue content.
The results published on 24 May come from a programme finalised at EU scale in 1996 and coordinated by the Commission. Although for the five years considered (1996-2000), the share of the samples not containing pesticide residue seems to stabilise around 60%, the results above the maximum residue limits (MRL) are worrying, admits the Commission. The Commission, however, does moderate this comment by stressing that the excessive pesticide content noted in the samples is within limits that allow no reason to fear harmful effects in the case of ingestion. The national programmes show that 4.5% of samples presented pesticide residue content above the MRL. Such is also the case for 2.7% of the samples that are the subject of the Community programme which specifically covered 3,700 samples of rice, cucumber, cabbage and peas from all EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The report also shows that 15% of the samples analysed contained more than one pesticide. Samples containing four different residues or more now account for a share of around 3% mainly because of the increased effectiveness of testing.
The report indicates that it is possible to improve the situation concerning residue in fresh food, mainly concerning the number of times regulatory limits are surpassed and the discovery of multiple residues. Furthermore, the increased number of detected residues and the MRL excesses noted show that the relevant authorities are aware of the problem and have taken practical measures to resolve it. In most countries, the samples were the subject of more targeted examination, given specific problems that show the results of previous control programmes and further to improved communication between the Member States. Also, strengthened methods of analysis have been used. Fungicides and insecticides still make up the kind of residue found most frequently. Among the four products analysed in the context of the coordinated Community programme, cabbage and peas have proved the most problematical, with residues being detected and MRL outstripped more often than in other products.