Dramatic rise in pesticides in EU fruit and vegetables, report claims

A farmer fills a spray machine with pesticide at his vineyard near the town of Tyrnavos, central Greece (AP)

The contamination of fruits and vegetables produced in the European Union by the most toxic pesticides has substantially increased over the past decade, according to new research.

The study by the Pesticide Action Network Europe group said European citizens have been exposed to a “dramatic rise” in both the frequency and intensity of residues of pesticides.