Seventy-nine pesticides commonly used in the island are analyzed by the multi-residue analysis method for vegetables and fruits sampled from the field. EBDCs (Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates) are analyzed separately by using the CS2 method. Whenever violations of pesticide residue tolerance level were detected from these long-term and wide-area surveys, follow-up investigations are undertaken to understand possible causes, such as cultural methods, variety use, or pesticide application methods.
Farmers' education follows after the problem is identified. Approximately 14,000 samples are analyzed annually. Farmers who violated the pesticide residue tolerance level are required to attend training courses on safe use of pesticides and must also pay a penalty for infringement of the relevant pesticide law (Fig. 1). After the enforcement of this inspection-education program, the percentage of vegetable samples in violation decreased from 28.6% in 1986 to 1.62% in 2001, and that of fruit samples from 12.9% in 1993 to 1.78% in 2001 (Fig. 2).
Promotion of Gap
Results of the program also revealed the need to increase the knowledge of farmers and consumers about quarantine. Hence, the promotion of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) to the public through mass media and training was carried out, aimed at raising awareness of farmers on hazardous pesticide use and encouraging them to use low toxic pesticides or bio-pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) whenever possible. The GAP executive committee of Taiwan consists of TACTRI, DAIS, and the Hsien government in charge of inspection, guidance, and regulation, respectively. The objective of the GAP system is to teach farmers how to use pesticides effectively and safely. GAP farmers must obey not only the Pesticides Use Regulation, but also the stipulations of their teams' commitment to GAP. So far, there are more than 1,350 GAP teams and approximately 20,000 GAP farmers in Taiwan. Customers can now easily choose GAP-labelled vegetables and fruits in the market (Fig. 3).
Index of Images
Figure 1 Inspection-Education System Used to Prevent Pesticide Residue Problems on Vegetables and Fruits in the Field<BR>
Figure 2 Percentage of Samples with Violation of Residue Tolerance for Vegetables and Fruits, 1989-2001<BR>
Figure 3 Good Agricultural Practice (Gap)-Labelled Commodities
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