The UKs approach to pesticide surveillance

Data from the PRC show that approximately 30% of food consumed in the UK contains measurable residues of pesticides (Table 10.5) and that approximately 1% contains residues above the MRL based on the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)-compliant use of pesticides. 

The frequency of food contamination by pesticides is remarkably stable. This suggests that if we accept the use of pesticides in food production in the way in 

The UK has taken advantage of the power of retailers (in particular supermarkets) in dictating to their suppliers (and therefore ultimately the producers) by releasing the names of retail outlets from where samples were sourced for its pesticide residues surveillance scheme (MAFF, 1999). A media furore met the first report of the UK s Working Party on Pesticide Residues to name and shame retail outlets. Indeed the Guardian, a major UK newspaper, featured a leaked version of the report on its front page the day before the planned release. As a result of this there was significant interest in a problem with chlormequat in pears. The supermarkets took a particular interest in the 

---