What's your poison? The Soil Association guide to pesticide residues in popular food Click on a heading to find out more... » chemicals designed to kill » what's the government doing? » safe from harm? » an organic antidote » chemical food guide » act now » get the PDF
	Chemicals designed to kill Along with chemical weapons, chemicals used in farming are the only substances that are deliberately released into the environment designed to kill living things. They pose unique hazards to human health and the environment. Most of the food we eat is produced from a farming system that is heavily reliant on these chemicals. Although used to kill targeted pests, diseases or weeds, farm chemicals also create wider problems. They damage the natural balance of the soil, destroy wildlife and leave chemical residues in a quarter of our food. There are real uncertainties about the effectiveness of official safety regulation of pesticides, and some risks are unknown. People are right to be concerned about how food is produced and whether their health and that of their families is at unnecessary risk. top What's the government doing? The damaging effect of farming with chemicals on the environment is accepted. Yet, the potential to damage human health has not been acknowledged by those appointed by the government to control pesticides. Thirty years ago it was recognised that farm workers needed better protection from the harmful effects of the chemicals. Protective clothing became a legal requirement. According to the government, residues left by these same chemicals in our food are at levels that do not pose any unacceptable risk to human health. People do not want chemical residues in their food. In response, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is now keen to find ways to minimise pesticide residues in food: “The FSA is committed to minimising pesticide residues in food because members of the public would prefer to have food that doesn’t contain residues.” However there are disputes over the most appropriate action. As a result very little has been achieved. The government has still to prepare an effective pesticides reduction strategy for the UK, as it is required to do under EU rules. top
	Safe from harm? Every year 31,000 tonnes of chemicals are applied to UK farmland. The photo above shows what a farmer typically wears when spraying crops – crops we are going to eat. So, the farmer is protected but are you? Chemical companies have by law to provide safety information for the users of their products. Below is a list of common safety guidelines. WEAR SUITABLE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TAKE OFF IMMEDIATELY ALL CONTAMINATED CLOTHING WASH ANY CONTAMINATION FROM SKIN OR EYES IMMEDIATELY DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE WASH HANDS AND EXPOSED SKIN BEFORE MEALS AND AFTER USE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR YOU FEEL UNWELL SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS IN THE ENVIRONMENT KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN KEEP ONLY IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER KEEP AWAY FROM FOOD, DRINK AND ANIMAL FEEDINGSTUFFS top An organic antidote The National Farmers Union, which is supposed to represent the views of UK farmers, says that chemicals are a “fundamental element of a farmer’s business” and without them it would be difficult to grow enough food. Many farmers know that this is not true. The Soil Association - along with an increasing number of farmers, growers, food processors and consumers - believes that organic farming is a viable alternative. Organic farming works with nature to produce food without relying on chemicals to meet consumer demand. The Food Standards Agency recognises this: “Organic food contains fewer residues of the pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticide residues.” In the long run, the problems pesticides cause will only be solved when all farming and food is organic.If you are concerned about pesticide residues in your food, buy organic. The Soil Association is working to persuade the government to introduce a tax on all chemicals to provide a fund to help remove pesticides from our environment and drinking water. top Chemical food guide Click on one of the foods below to find out about the chemicals used to produce them. Each page uses government statistics and chemical industry labels to give you information about chemical residues and safety warnings associated with the farm chemicals used. Aldicarb: potatoes Chlormequat: bread Trifluralin: carrots Pirimiphos-methyl: infant food Carbendazim: pears Chlorothalonil: raspberries Vinclozolin: lettuce Chlorpyrifos: apples top
	Act now Where can I buy organic food? Find out at www.theorganicdirectory.co.uk I want to know more about pesticides See our pesticides: get the facts page or visit the following websites: Have you been affected by exposure to pesticide spraying in rural areas? Georgina Downs' pesticide campaign works to protect people in and around agricultural areas: www.pesticidescampaign.co.uk Pesticide Action Network UK publish information and research as well as working to eliminate the risks posed by pesticides: www.pan-uk.org How do I stay up to date? For regular email updates about pesticides and related issues login (above on the right) and click 'amend profile' to sign up for email bulletins. I want to spread the word Order further copies of this booklet. Telephone 0117 914 2446 or order online. You can also download a free PDF of this guide below. How do I support the Soil Association? The Soil Association is working to reduce chemical use and raise awareness about the benefits of eating organic food. In order to do this effectively we need your help. You can join us online. top
	Get the PDF Download the full guide as a PDF below: Acrobat PDF, 24 pages, 1206kb) top