Reducing Pesticide Levels in Fresh Produce

the labor, social affairs and health committee decided to considerably limit the amount of pesticides in fruits and vegetables, just a few hours before the knesset was due to disband.

the regulations include a prohibition of the use of carbamates, which is an organic compound derived from carbamic acid, and used in most dangerous pesticides in israel.

these have been used against insects, but can also affect the hormonal and neurological systems. the use of organophosphates for agriculture will also be banned.

however, the committee decided to only reduce the permissible maximum use of chemicals such as ddt, while in a minority of cases, alternative compounds that are proven to be friendlier to human and animal health and the environment should be applied instead of this chemical.

the prime minister and acting health minister benjamin netanyahu has already signed these regulations, and they will go into effect when published in the reshumot gazette.

dr. rina varssano, the ministry’s official in charge of prohibited food contamination, said that if farmers abide by the regulations, “fruits and vegetables that we eat will be healthier from now on.” tami mor of the agriculture ministry’s legal department, added that the regulations had not been updated since 2008. since then, much research has been carried out in the study of pesticides, many of which are already not permitted to be used abroad.

source: the jerusalem post, published on december 8, 2014.