The Role of the PRC
History of residues monitoring in the UK
Terms of Reference for the PRC
What is the purpose of the monitoring?
History of residues monitoring in the UK
The monitoring of pesticides residues in food in the UK is not new and has in fact been undertaken since the 1950s. From 1977 until 2000, surveillance was organised and administered entirely by a government-organised committee known as the Working Party on Pesticide Residues (WPPR). The WPPR published comprehensive reports in their distinctive blue covers which detailed all the results once a year. These reports were particularly valued by the pesticide and food industry but were perhaps less accessible to the public in general. View historical reports and other information from the WPPR.
However, the government was keen to involve a wider range of the public and independent experts to act in an advisory role to the government departments responsible for administering the monitoring programme. Therefore, in 2000 the independent Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC) was formed. Each year we publish 4 Quarterly Reports and an Annual Report.
Membership of the PRC
Our members include:
- experts on the effects of chemicals on people
- people with knowledge of food production techniques
- people who have an interest in the safety of the food we eat.
Full list of our current members.
Terms of Reference for the PRC
Our remit is to to advise Ministers and the Chief Executives of the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on:
- the planning of surveillance programmes for pesticide residues in the UK food supply and the evaluation of the results;
- procedures for sampling, sample processing and new methods of analysis.
The Committee will 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.
What is the purpose of the monitoring?
The PRC carries out monitoring of both home produced and imported food for pesticide residues. The purpose of this monitoring is threefold:
- to back up the statutory approvals process for pesticides by checking that no unexpected residues are occurring in crops;
- to check that residues do not exceed the statutory Maximum Residue Level (MRL); and,
- to check that human dietary intakes of residues in foods are within acceptable levels.
Activities of the PRC
We meet 4 times per year to discuss the requirements of future surveillance programmes, the results of previous programmes and any other issues relevant to the requirements of our work. At each meeting we also review the draft of the Quarterly Report (which usually includes the results of 3 months sampling carried out 3-6 months previously) and the draft of the Annual report. This summarises all the results from the four Quarterly Reports, explains what action has been taken where residues are found exceeding MRLs or where use of that pesticide is not permitted in the UK and gives information on future programmes and other relevant issues. These Reports are published soon after the Meeting where they were discussed.
Between publication of Reports we will also, where necessary, issue updates on the programme. This helps to improve the responsiveness of the programme and assists the pesticide regulators and food industry in being able to act more quickly on results before the actual Reports are published.
In 2010 we agreed a Communications Strategy which we will review annually. We have also developed a Communications Operational Plan for 2010-2012 which will be discussed at each of our quarterly meetings.
More information on the surveillance programme.
Download agendas, minutes and other documents from PRC Meetings.
Download Quarterly and Annual Reports.
Download information from the annual Open Meetings.
Download our Communications Strategy
We are supported in all our work by officials from the Consumer Safety and European Policy Branch (CSEP) of the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD). CRD is a Directorate of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) which in liaison with other Government Departments, is responsible for the regulation of pesticides in the UK.
However, it important to be aware that whilst CRD administers and organises the work on behalf of the PRC, the Committee itself is independent of government.