Food surveillance in the UK, and drivers for change in intensive horticulture - a case study of Almeria, Spain. (Greening the Food Chain, 4.)

摘要

Traceability allows food products to be followed through all stages of production and distribution, including the primary production of food up to the final consumer. Although there is currently no general legal requirement for traceability systems in the food chain, some related measures such as cattle movements do have compulsory elements. There are many assurance schemes operating, each tending to focus on particular elements of the supply chain. Crop husbandry and the safe use of pesticides are strong elements of the GlobalGap and ACCS (Assured Combinable Crops Scheme), with the animal welfare part by the FABBL (Farm Assured British Beef & Lamb). Although these schemes are considered voluntary, the producers are required to be members to enable them to sell their produce to the supermarkets and grower cooperatives etc. The need for traceability has been highlighted in recent years with a number of food safety incidents during which systems have not been robust enough to give consumers confidence in the safety of the food they are buying. The case of dioxins in animal feedstuffs in Belgium and more recently the presence of melamine in milk products and animal feed in China have shown how strict and effective controls are essential for both food safety and encouraging sustainable production systems. This paper presents the case of isofenphos methyl contamination of peppers and other crops in Almeria, Spain, and describes the impact of an integrated pest management including biological control and less pesticides on the presence of pesticide residues in these crops.