There are approximately 800 active substances contained in different pesticide preparations in the European Union. In Ireland products containing approximately 450 active substances are marketed and used as pesticides. The nature of many of those pesticide preparations, their uses and manner of use are such that there is not a potential for residual traces to remain in food.
To date maximum residue levels, MRLs, have been established for some 130 active substances. Ireland together with other member states of the EU has embarked upon a review of all existing active substances. When this review is completed, MRLs will have been established for all active substances for which there are used on food crops.
The European Community regulatory system for plant protection products, which in this country is operated by my Department's pesticide control service, restricts the application rates of pesticide produces to the minimum effective dose rates. The regulatory system is designed to ensure a very high level of protection for man, animals and the environment. If plant protection products are used in accordance with the approved label institutions, workers and bystanders would not be a risk as a result of airborne contamination nor would unacceptable residues occur in food produce.
The pesticide control service operates an enforcement programme to ensure that the pesticides being placed on the market are packaged and labelled correctly and a national pesticide monitoring and enforcement programme to ensure that pesticide residues in food do not exceed the maximum residue limits established in statutory regulations.
