EU seal of approval for food pesticide controls

Ireland has received a thumbs up from the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) for its control systems for pesticide residues in foodstuffs of plant origin.

An FVO audit was carried out in Ireland between Sep 26 and 30 in 2011.

Officials found that the Irish authorities have established an effective system of controls. In particular, Irish inspection of the use of agro-chemicals, during cross-compliance checks on farms as part of the Single Payment Scheme, was found to be a key factor in the effectiveness of Irish controls.