Pesticide residues
 Pesticides are toxic chemicals used to kill or control pests (including insects,
weeds and diseases) in agriculture and urban areas. Their use and introduction
into the environment can lead to various problems, including residues
in food and feed.
FAO is involved in a number of programmes on pesticide management to reduce
the environmental and health impact of pesticides, focusing on risk reduction,
protection of human health and the environment, and support for sustainable
agricultural development by using pesticides in an effective manner and applying
IPM strategies.
The Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) is an international
expert scientific group that is administered jointly by FAO and WHO that has
met annually since 1963 to conduct scientific evaluations of pesticide
residues in food. It provides advice to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues
(CCPR) on the setting of maximum pesticide residues in food and feed commodities
moving in international trade. The JMPR consists of experts drawn from
governments and academic circles. They attend as independent internationally-recognized
specialists who act in a personal capacity and not as representatives of national
governments.
One of the key outputs of the JMPR is the proposal of maximum residue levels
(MRLs), based on the analysis of various data, for specific pesticides in individual
food and feed items, or well-defined groups of commodities.
See also
Integrated food control systems > Good practices and quality
assurance
Integrated food control systems > Laboratory quality assurance |
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