The safety of our food has been top of the agenda for the past few months. The safety of food, of our health services and of our streets could be said to be among the most challenging issues facing us as we move into the 21st century. The question of the safety of food has become a major issue in recent times with the BSE scare, followed more recently by the infant powder scare in January of this year, and now the issue of the level of pesticides in fruit and vegetables. The public in Britain has been advised in recent days to wash and peel fruit before eating it, particularly when such fruit is being consumed by children. Are the apples and other fruit being consumed by Irish children any different? What percentage of apples consumed here comes from Britain where it has been confirmed that high traces of pesticides, particularly organo-phosphates, have been found on fruit?
These pesticides have been linked to Gulf War syndrome and illnesses suffered by farmers using such chemicals to dip sheep. Pesticide figures for the past three years must be published and adequate reassurance given to the public from the Department of Agriculture. These food scares are unsettling, raise anxieties for parents and give people a sense of vulnerability about the very food they eat. They demand a rapid and effective response from Government.
Consumers need high quality information and they need information fast when these scares emerge. If we have learned anything from the hepatitis C scandal it is that we need rapid reaction responses and we must ensure that consumers get the highest possible technical and scientific information in the clearest language and in the quickest possible time.
In Britain, out of a total of 700 apples analysed, 126 contained residues above the MRL, or maximum residue level, but in most cases only slightly so. British scientists said safety margins allow for an occasional breach without any health risk.
Department of Agriculture figures here on pesticide levels supplied to The Irish Times revealed that out of 1,356 samples, 533 Irish, of fruit and vegetables analysed 27 were found to be above the MRL.
A further 631 samples had pesticide residues but below the MRL while 698 samples had no detectable residue. What is a safe level of pesticide residue? Pesticide residues above the MRL increased from three in 1994 to 11 in 1995, and to 13 in 1996, with most of these samples being imported products.
In recent times we have been introduced to the phrase "genetic engineering" in relation to food. As a consumer I believe I should be informed about how food is produced and that clear labelling should be introduced. I have the right to choose naturally produced food and should be in a position to avoid products which have been developed through genetic engineering methods.
What monitoring is currently in place? What is the advice to the public about fruit? What is the breakdown in levels of pesticide between imported fruit and home grown produce? What is the percentage of our fruit that is imported? Is there a need to state more clearly the country of origin of fruit if British levels are so high? What are the standards in other countries in relation to applying pesticides to fruit? Do we need closer monitoring in relation to the practices of other countries?
I would also like the pesticide figures for the past three years published and a reassurance given to the public by the Department.