HC Deb 01 March 1990 vol 168 cc328-9W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions or correspondence he has had with the Cypriot authorities concerning pesticide residues in imported fruit and vegetables; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

We have asked the Cypriot authorities for comments on recent reports about pesticide residues in their fruit and vegetables.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will give the results of all tests on imported fruit and vegetables from Cyprus for pesticide residues in 1989, giving the type of residue found and the quantities;

(2) what tests he is currently carrying out on imported fruit and vegetables from Cyprus for the levels of pesticide residues; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

The Government undertake a continuous monitoring programme of fruit and vegetables from all sources, including Cyprus, to ensure that residue levels of pesticides do not exceed statutory levels contained in the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Food) Regulations 1988. The results are published; the latest report covering the period 1985 to 1988 was published by HMSO in 1989 (food surveillance paper No. 25).

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the fruit and vegetables that were imported into the United Kingdom from Cyprus in 1989, giving the quantities in each case.

Mr. Gummer

Provisional figures show that the quantities of the main fruit and vegetable crops imported from Cyprus during 1989 were as follows:

Quantity (tonnes)
Potatoes (fresh or chilled) 90,746
Grapefruit (fresh or dried) 32,989
Citrus fruits 22,881
Lemons and limes (fresh or dried) 12,336
Vegetable products, chiefly used for human food, eg. locust beans 10,813
Grapes fresh 8,759
Grape juice (including grape must) 4,498
Carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, celeriac, salsify, radishes and similar edible roots 2,342
Mandarins (fresh or dried) 2,047
Citrus fruit (prepared or preserved) 1,042

Source: Customs and Excise.