Vol. 557 No. 1
176 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a pesticides residue committee exists in his Department; if so, the composition of same and its recent and planned programme of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21405/02]
There is no pesticide residue committee within my Department at present.
As part of the service contract arrangements between my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland my Department's pesticide control service implements the national monitoring and violation programme for pesticide residues in food. Under that contract the pesticide control service will carry out a minimum of 900 tests on food products for 2002.
The FSAI has formal arrangements for the consultation of all stakeholders in relation to food safety issues, which includes pesticide residues, through its food safety consultative council which meets on a quarterly basis. In addition the FSAI scientific sub-committee on food additives, chemical contaminants and residues provides scientific advice in this area.
