Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes TD recently opened the 10th European Pesticide Residues Workshop at the Convention Centre.
The European Pesticide Residues Workshop takes place every two years and is the premier International forum where scientists gather to discuss the latest developments in analytical methods and techniques for the analysis of pesticide residues in food. DAFM is hosting this, the 10th European Pesticide Residue Workshop where in excess of 500 scientists, from 49 countries, will gather in Dublin to share their knowledge and experiences with a view to having the most accurate and sensitive methods available to ensure that food on the Irish and European markets comply with standards in this area.
Minister Hayes said “As an exporting country, we are acutely conscious of consumer needs and the requirement to produce safe, quality food in a sustainable manner that meets the highest international standards. We are particularly conscious that agricultural inputs are a critical component of food production and that access to the appropriate range of plant protection products and their proper use is essential for large scale crop production. In this regard, we actively support the introduction and implementation of European legislation that requires a rigorous assessment of these products prior to their authorisation for use in Agricultural production. This assessment provides reassurances to consumers that the proper use of such products does not pose a risk to man, animals or the environment.
Pesticide residues in food have been regulated on the European market since 1976 so there is a long history within the EU of establishing standards to control pesticide residues in food and of ensuring the availability of appropriate validated analytical methods to enforce these standards. At present 75,000 food samples are analysed annually across the EU member states and the results show a very high level of compliance with the regulatory standards for pesticide residues. The EPRW was convened for the first time in 1996 with a view to establishing a forum where scientists, involved in this work, could share their knowledge and experience with a view to improving the capability and standards of official control laboratories.
Concluding, Minister Hayes added “This conference will provide participating scientists with the opportunity to share their knowledge and to discuss the latest developments in the area of pesticide residue analysis. New advances in analytical techniques, laboratory quality assurance, updates to the regulation of pesticides, dietary intake and risk assessment protocols are some of the topics that will feature on the agenda of this conference”.
