Pesticide services

CCFRA is involved with the whole food chain from primary production through to consumption of the finished food product. The RA is, therefore, the only centre that offers a complete pesticide service that includes food processing. All the needs of the agrochemical industry can be met, from growing and pesticide application to food processing, residue analysis and taint testing. CCFRA's Agriculture Department offers a wide range of services to the food and agricultural industries, and also undertakes research on behalf of the industry and Defra.

The Department carries out many different types of field trials each year using various application systems on a wide range of crops. Pesticide field trials are carried out principally for three purposes:

• production of crop or soil samples for residue analysis;
• production of crop samples to test for taint; and
• evaluation of the efficacy and crop tolerance of crop protection products.

Pesticide field trial studies are carried out in compliance with the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and/or ORETO recognition.

Facilities and Equipment

• Pesticide store and pesticide handling laboratory
• Small plot drill
• Precision sprayers
• Agricultural field equipment
• Mistblower
• Post-harvest handling equipment
• Granule applicator
• Frozen stores
• Vining pea and green bean harvesting and grading equipment

Quality Assurance

Pesticide residue field trials are carried out in compliance with the principles of GLP, and have undergone successful routine inspections by the UK GLP Monitoring Unit since 1992.

CCFRA has Official Recognition by PSD (ORETO) to conduct efficacy evaluation of crop protection agents. This is carried out according to EPPO guidelines and the operating systems of CCFRA and the Agriculture Department.

Taint test field trials, processing and sensory tests also comply with the requirement of PSD official recognition (ORETO).

CCFRA has a number of trained auditors who carry out a programme of Quality Assurance facility audits and Critical Phase audits of pesticide residue field trials. CCFRA has also developed ISO 9001:2000 documented procedures for all aspects of service and contract work including pesticide field trials. This incorporates GLP work.

Pesticide Field Trials

CCFRA has considerable experience in carrying out a wide range of field trials using different application methods. The following is a list of field trials undertaken in recent years.

Crops:

Arable crops: cereals, oilseed rape, linseed, sugar beet, potatoes, field beans, field peas and maize

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, calabrese, cabbage, chinese cabbage, carrots, parsnips, leeks, bulb and salad onions, broad beans, runner beans, dwarf green beans, vining peas, turnips and swedes

Fruit: apples, plums, blackcurrants, raspberries and strawberries

Glasshouse crops: cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and celery

Other crops: hops and mushrooms

Stored crops: potatoes, apples and cabbage

Soil: field dissipation, soil residue and soil accumulation studies

Geographical location

Trials are carried out throughout the UK, in the major crop production areas. These trials may be carried out in collaboration with the grower or other research organisations. Where long-term trials are carried out, or stringent controls need to be exercised, trials can be carried out on land leased by CCFRA in the locality where crops are established for specific trials.

Application methods

• Overall sprays on small plots
• Compost incorporation
• Seed treatments
• Soil incorporation
• Mistblower application
• Post-harvest applications

Combined Studies

CCFRA can undertake GLP compliant studies combining field trials with food processing and residue analysis. A comprehensive report is issued consisting of field, processing and analytical phases.

Taint Testing

Crop samples produced in pesticide field trials are tested for the presence of any taints in the finished food product by the Department of Consumer and Sensory Science. Trained assessors are used in a Triangle Test to identify any flavour differences between untreated and treated samples. The taint testing is UKAS accredited and complies with the requirements of PSD Official Recognition (ORETO).

Further information is available on our other chemical analysis services and sensory science services

Scope of Accredited Services

Contact: info@campden.co.uk

Telephone: +44(0)1386 842000

We are constantly developing and refining our services.
If the service you require is not listed please contact us and we will try to help.

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