A new tool for the evaluation of crop residue trial data (day-zero-plus decline)

An approach is presented for the prediction of pesticide residue concentrations in food and feed commodities produced from foliar-treated crops. It uses limited residue trial data and relies on information on spray retention and decline rates of residues following application. The use of the simple approach is demonstrated for residues of a variety of pesticides and the results compared with data sets evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) using expert judgement and also with estimates of high residues obtained using statistical methods. It is proposed that the approach should constitute an additional tool for the risk assessment of pesticide residues; it contributes to the estimation of maximum residue limits (MRLs) and high and median residues, which are needed for risk assessment. The approach should be particularly useful in situations where only a few residue trials are available such as often occurs for minor crops.