Pesticide controls - new guidance from Campden BRI

A new guide from Campden BRI, 'Managing pesticides in the food chain' will help farmers, growers, food processors, food manufacturers and retailers understand and respond to the legislative and voluntary controls of pesticides in the food chain.

Pesticides are an important part of the food production system - both in improving production efficiency and in minimising post-harvest losses, and ensuring a high quality raw food product. More stringent legislation has been introduced with respect to the mechanisms controlling the authorisation of pesticides, the level of permitted residues and the practical aspects of pesticide application. The guide describes pesticide risk management systems, including record keeping, and explains how to implement these in practice.

All in the food supply chain face the considerable challenge of needing to comply with restrictions imposed by statutory and customer-led requirements. This guide will help companies meet these expectations.

For a copy of the guide or further information visit the Campden BRI on-line bookstore.

English: Spraying pesticide in California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

UK to back plan for changing zero-tolerance policy

The Observer understands that the UK intends to back EU plans permitting the importing of animal feed containing maximum traces of 0.1 percent of unauthorised GM. Environmental groups are alarmed.

Importing animal feed containing GM feed must at present be authorised by European regulators. But a vote last week in favour of the scheme put forward by the EU's standing committee on the food chain and animal health would overturn the EU's "zero tolerance" policy towards the import of unauthorised GM crops.

The move would mark a significant victory for the GM lobby, which has pushed for a relaxation of the blanket ban for years.

Environmental groups claim the GM industry wants to use the presence of unauthorised organisms in animal feed as part of a wider strategy to promote its technology. Read more...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.