National Referral Laboratory
NRC Grapes is identified as the
National Referral Laboratory for Monitoring Pesticide Residues for Export of
Fresh Grapes from India under the
Trade Notice No. QMC/GEN/049/2004, dated August 16, 2004 for Regulation
of Export of Fresh Grapes to the European Union through Control of Pesticide
Residues.
| Annexure 5: Pesticides recommended for the control of various diseases and insect pests of table grapes for export to the European Union in 2009-2010 | ||
|
Trainings |
·
To
establish the surveillance system for controlling residues of pesticides allowed / recommended by
National Research Centre for Grapes for cultivation of grapes as well as for traces
of other pesticides, which might be found due to previous use on the land.
·
To establish a system for controlling residues of
pesticides in exportable table grapes at the farm level.
·
To monitor pesticide residues in water at grape farms
and pack houses.
·
To establish a system for corrective action in the
event of detection of residue levels higher than those established through this
Residue Monitoring Plan.
·
To establish a system for corrective action in the
event of issuance of an Internal Alert Information.
·
To ensure that grapes exported from India to the
European Union (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakie, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The
Netherlands, U.K.) do not test for pesticide residues in excess of the
prescribed levels.
· All farms / plots, which intend to produce grapes for export to the European Union, APEDA recognized pack houses, APEDA recognized laboratories and their pre-requisites will get covered under these procedures.
· It is also intended to introduce possibility of product recall in this document.
Grape is one of the important fresh fruit being exported to European Union countries besides the countries of Middle East and the Far East. Pesticide residue in the grapes is one of the quality parameters before the importers in the EU countries to accept the produce. During the export season of 2002-2003, some of the exported consignments had the pesticide residue more than the maximum residue level (MRL). As a result, European Union ordered testing of pesticide residue in all the consignments. This action led to delay in sale of the produce in the market and also rejection of some consignment. Accordingly, APEDA seized this problem and convened meetings of officials of NRC for Grapes, State Govt. departments, exporters, officials of the phytosanitary department and grape growers in order to deliberate on the existing pesticide monitoring system and its deficiencies. Deliberations in these meetings suggested the newer approach for monitoring the pesticide and accordingly the roles of all the pesticide monitoring agencies have been spelt out. APEDA has declared the NRC for Grapes, Pune as the National Referral Laboratory (NRL) for monitoring pesticide residue in fresh grapes or export right from the field to the point of export.
Dr. P.G. Adsule, Director is the Chief Coordinator of the programme and Dr. K. Banerjee, Senior Scientist (Agricultural Chemistry) is the Coordinator of the National Referral Laboratory
1. The National Referral Laboratory shall draw at least 5% of the samples directly from the recognized pack houses pertaining to the batches tested by the designated laboratories as a measure of conformity.
2. Monitor the work of nominated laboratories by conducting surveillance audit to ascertain that they are following the criteria laid down under this monitoring system.
3. Evaluate 5 % test data of the samples analysed by the nominated laboratories pertaining to the batches tested by the nominated laboratories as a measure of conformity.
4. To compile residue analysis data of the nominated laboratories for each year and prepare plan of action for the following year.
5. To advise the exporters about the control measures required to be taken in case residue levels are found to be higher than the permitted levels.
6. To organize training on testing for each residue or groups of residues for the nominated laboratories.
HPLC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, GC, HPLC, Automatic solid phase extractor, Freeze dryer, Low volume concentrator, Accelerated solvent extractor and UV-VIS Spectrophotometer are some of the high resolution ultra sensitive equipments besides several other equipments, which are being procured for the implementation of the project.
Training / Meetings organised by NRL
1. Three orientation programmes for sampling grapes for pesticide monitoring and pesticide usage during last 50 days before the harvest were organised during this period. Programmes were organised at Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad on 1st, 9th and 20th January respectively. Agricultural Officers/ Horticultural Officers from respective State and officials from APEDA and representatives of nominated laboratories attended the programmes.
2. Two meetings with nominated laboratories were organized to decide standard operating procedure and making them acquainted with sampling procedure in vineyards on 14th January and 13th February 2004.
3. Meeting with pesticide manufacturers/ distributors was held on 13th February 2004.