I propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together.
The 2014 European Union Report on Pesticide Residues in Food, which was published in October 2016, indicates that 0.4% of samples from Ireland that were analysed as part of the pesticide residue monitoring programmes of all Member States exceeded the Maximum Residue Level (MRL). The MRL exceedance rate for produce from all EU countries was 1.6% and the equivalent figure for produce from third countries was 6.5%. The Irish food commodities that exceeded the MRL limit were cabbage, kale and mushrooms.
MRL’s are set by EU scientific authorities on the basis of residue trials results following the use of a pesticide in accordance with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP). MRLs always include wide safety margins and are well below levels that could have any adverse effect on the health of consumers. When a residue is found above the MRL, the result does not automatically mean the levels of residue found are a risk to people’s health. Therefore, where an MRL is exceeded, a consumer risk assessment is conducted. The results of the assessment is provided to and independently verified by the FSAI. The risk assessments indicated that there were no consumer intake concerns in respect of Irish produce.
In the case of Irish produce, investigations to establish the cause of the MRL exceedance are carried out by my Department. The investigations are geared to eliminate abuses in the use of pesticides and to ensure that they are not repeated. Offenders may be prosecuted or subjected to a fine. In addition, produce from the origin concerned is targeted for further sampling and analysis. Producers who were targeted as a result of 2014 exceedances were compliant in 2015.
The recently introduced Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive also aims to reduce risks to human health and the environment through establishing:
- Increased educational/training requirements for pesticide users, advisors and distributors.
- Increased level of record keeping for all sectors in the pesticide use and retail trade.
- Requirement to have pesticide application equipment tested periodically.
- Increased storage requirements at farm and distribution level.
- Promotion of the use of Integrated Pest Management.
My Department made no representations to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regarding data relating to Irish produce or brands published in the 2014 European Union Report on Pesticide Residues in Food. Brand details are not a required field in the data submitted to EFSA. My Department indicated to EFSA that all Irish pesticides residue data submitted to EFSA could be made available to the public.
