Residue trials provide important residue data.
“Residue data are needed to support all plant protection product (PPP) uses which could result in PPP residues in food or animal feed. Data on the nature and magnitude of PPP residues in crops resulting from the use of a PPP as recommended on the label, are used by HSE (CRD) to estimate consumer exposure and to ensure that risks to the consumer from use of a PPP are acceptable.
Residues data are also required to establish or demonstrate compliance with maximum residue levels (MRLs). A maximum residue level (MRL) is the maximum concentration of a PPP residue in or on food or feed of plant and animal origin that is legally tolerated when a plant protection product (PPP) is applied correctly (following good agricultural practice).” (hse.gov.uk)
HCP obtains residue data to support EAMU and EA (Emergency Authorisation) applications to HSE (CRD) in the following ways:
- From the authorisation holder of the relevant PPP if data is available
- From EU minor use groups (either by sharing the cost of data generation or by data purchase)
- From residue trials commissioned formerly by AHDB and now by HCP
To ensure that data is sufficiently robust to be acceptable for HSE (CRD) risk assessments, data is generated according to stringent study guidelines:
- Usually four to eight trials (a field phase followed by a laboratory analytical phase) are required depending on the crop.
- The studies are generally conducted over one to two years by an organisation that must be certified to comply with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).
