Multiannual control program for pesticides in food

Thirty to forty foodstuffs constitute the major components of the diet in the European Economic Area. Since pesticide uses show significant changes over a period of three years, pesticides should be monitored in those foodstuffs over a series of three-year cycles to allow consumer exposure and the application of the legislation to be assessed.

The principle aim of this Regulation is to take and analyse samples of pesticides and product combinations as set out in the Annexes of the Regulation. The collection of these samples should be apportioned among the EEA/EU States according to population numbers, with a certain number of samples per product and per year. The first multiannual community control program was established in 2008, covering the years 2009 – 2011.