Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Pesticide Levels in Fruit and Vegetables.

Ms. F. Fitzgerald

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.

Mr. Deenihan

The level of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables need not give rise to any concern from a public health point of view. The permitted level of residues is strictly controlled under EU legislation and the relevant directives have been transposed in Irish law and are implemented by my Department. The pesticide control service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is responsible for implementing these legislative controls in so far as they relate to pesticide and plant protection products. The responsibilities of the pesticide control service include the authorisation of plant protection products and the clearance of pesticide products for placing on the market after detailed evaluation of scientific dossiers, including safety evaluations in relation to man, animals and the environment; an enforcement programme to ensure that pesticide products placed on the market are used in compliance with the regulations and the operation of the national monitoring programme on pesticide residues in raw agricultural produce.

Under the extensive monitoring programme undertaken each year, fruit and vegetables, cereals and food of animal origin are sampled and analysed for the presence of pesticide residues. The purpose of such testing is to ensure that food products do not present a danger to human health as a result of the presence of pesticide residues. Samples taken for testing in regard to fruit and vegetables, for example, are analysed for the presence of no less than 89 pesticides and metabolites. The analytical equipment used can detect residues as low as one part per billion in specific instances. In the period 1990-6 2,660 fruit and vegetable samples were analysed; of these 1,411 were Irish and only 50 samples, or 1.9 per cent, were found to have residues exceeding the maximum residue limits. Less than half of these samples were of Irish origin.

I should explain what is meant by maximum residue limit. Maximum residue limits — MRLs — are the concentration of pesticide residues permitted under regulation on food commodities. In establishing MRLs very large safety margins are included and it does not necessarily follow that even where the limits are exceeded there would be immediate threat to human health. That said, the marketing of food which does not comply with the required standards cannot be tolerated. Accordingly, produce which is found to contain pesticide residues exceeding the MRL may be destroyed under the legislation at the owners risk without payment of compensation and prosecution may be brought against the owner. In 1995 a consignment of papayas were destroyed for exceeding the set MRL. Consignments of these products from the same sources are also targeted for further more intensive sampling and analysis.

The Department publishes an annual report on pesticide residues in food and a report for 1994-6 is currently with the printers. It will be distributed in the next fortnight. Summary results up to the end of 1995 have already been published. Detailed results of the 1994 and 1995 national monitoring programmes for pesticide levels have been placed in the Oireachtas Library and are available to members of the public.

Comparison between Irish, US, Swedish and UK results for percentage samples exceeding MRLs show that we compare very favourably. The results in the other countries are higher in the main than the corresponding levels found in Ireland. It is my intention that there will be continuing monitoring and sampling of products and every effort will be made to ensure that all products appearing in the market and going into the food chain will be of the highest possible international standard.

We are at safety levels which have no ill effects on health and there are no cases of repeated occurrences. Health is only at risk if repeatedly excessive levels of pesticides occur. Overall, it is fair to say we have acceptable levels of pesticides in our food and they are under control. Our monitoring and analysis is extensive and effective. The concern expressed in the media may be somewhat overstated. That said, it is important that we remain vigilant in order that we might maintain our high standards.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.15 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 March 1997.