By now those who did not clearly understand the position before now realise that given the choice between empty shelves or selling products that are in breach of the regulations (illegal) the supermarkets would prefer the former rather than the latter.

FPC members who received our latest pesticide alert this week will have raised their hands in horror at the explanation of the latest problem we face over MRLs, the action we must take and the consequences for UK grown and imported produce if we do not.

Put simply everyone will have to check what pesticides are being used on the crops they are handling. They will then have to check, through a complex process, the MRL status for each one. If the status indicates that it is going to default to zero and their supplier wishes to continue using it, they will have to alert the PSD and help them in the process of setting a “UK temporary MRL”.

If no action is taken it could lead to the product being declared illegal for sale.

UK growers should be well organised to deal with this challenge as a result of the activities of the HDC. However imported produce, most particularly those crops grown in the tropics and sub-tropics that are not grown within the EC are particularly at risk. This is an issue that importers and their suppliers overseas cannot afford to ignore.

It is complicated, but it is a challenge we must face up to.

CODE FOR GANGMASTERS

Following a meeting with Lord Whitty (Defra) and Beverly Hughes (Home Office) Defra seconded a staff member to work on the production of a code of best practice for Gangmasters.

This code would be an essential precursor to the establishment of a registration system for Gangmasters were such a system to be established.

The first draft of the code was discussed at a recent Working Party meeting and we are now moving forward to pilot the code in different parts of the country and in different types of produce operations.

We have a very long way to go with this project but we can report encouraging progress at this stage.

The recent media attention that has been given to Gangmasters and the whole issue of illegal immigrants and the working practices associated with them has vindicated the consistent position that we have taken on this subject over the last five years. It has also enabled us to deal with the media in a very robust and open manner.

IMPACT OF EU-US STEEL DISPUTE ON PRODUCE

Fruit and vegetable imports from the US may suffer in the ongoing trade dispute over steel.

The World Trade Organisation ruled in early July 2003 that the US had breached WTO rules by imposing safeguard measures on imports of steel products. The US has appealed against this ruling and the results of this appeal should be published in or around November 2003.

If the US loses the appeal and does not repeal the safeguard measures within five days of the judgement, the European Union will implement retaliatory measures against a wide range of products, including some fresh produce. Shelled walnuts, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, grapefruit, grapes, apples (other than Golden Delicious and Granny Smith), pears and cherries would be subject to additional duties of 15 per cent.

We will be writing to the European Commission to protest against the damage that could be inflicted on the fresh produce industry if these additional duties are imposed.