What does PRiF do?
The specific role of the Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food is to work closely with the Chemicals Regulation Directorate and the Food Standards Agency, to:
- provide independent advice to the Health and Safety Executive and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and UK Ministers on
- the planning of surveillance programmes for pesticide residues in the UK food supply
- the evaluation of the results; and
- procedures for sampling, sample processing and new methods of analysis.
- make its findings and recommendations available to Government, consumers and the food and farming industries in a way which aims to be comprehensive, understandable and timely.
- report to Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA)
- operate in line with the Government’s Principles for Scientific Advice and the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees.
You may also wish to see our full terms of reference.
Who is on the Committee?
These are the current members of the PRiF. Click on their names for a more detailed biography.
Dr Paul Brantom (Chairman) - Independent consultant in toxicological risk assessments for national and international organisations.
Julian Davies - Commercial Director at Stockbridge Technology Centre, expert in food production, specifically in horticulture.
Dr Rosemary Waring - Reader in Human Toxicology at University of Birmingham, particularly interested in the interactions of diet and environmental contaminants with human health.
Debbie Winstanley - Works for PepsiCo, expert in the food supply industry.
Dr Glenis Wedzicha - Member of the board of trustees of the North Yorkshire East Federation of Womens' Institutes as Science Coordinator as well as a being a member of the sub-committee on Public Affairs.
Katie Knaggs - Grower Development Manager at International Produce Ltd (IPL).
Ann Davison - Co-founder of Fairtrade Foundation, set up and served on Transatlantic Consumers Dialogue.
Stuart Freeman - Toxicology consultant with specific toxicological expertise on safety issues and regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical and consumer products.
Members' Interests
View a full list of each Member's declared interests.
Analytical Sub-Group
The PRiF is also advised by an 'analytical sub-group' whose main function is to peer-review and hence ensure the reliability of the analytical results. The group is comprised principally of members from the laboratories used by CRD for analysis.
What was the PRC? How is PRiF different to the PRC?
The Defra Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) replaced the Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) on 1 July 2011.
The Pesticide Residues Committee was a non-departmental public body and was abolished as part of a wider reform of such bodies. The Defra Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food continues to provide the UK government with independent advice, and to be covered under Defra governance arrangements for scientific advice.
Are PRC reports still available online?
Yes.
See the role of the PRiF for more information
Please contact the Secretariat if you would like any more information on these changes
