§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to require that the testing of fruit and vegetable products at supermarkets against excessive concentrations of pesticides takes place at depots. [61179]
§ Mr. RookerI have no plan to change current arrangements. Fruit and vegetables and other commodities are tested for a range of pesticide residues as part of the Working Party on Pesticide Residues annual surveillance programme. This programme is designed to sample foods typically available to the consumer from a range of retail outlets across the United Kingdom. Every effort is made by the Working Party to ensure the integrity of both its sampling and analysis techniques. In directing the sampling technique the importance of checking carefully the origin of the produce is stressed to the samplers. It would not be practical to ask them to sample produce direct from supermarket depots.