In response to the letter about pesticides on local produce by Greta Rapinett from Swatar (August 21) the Malta Standards Authority would like to point out that the legislation in force on food and feed of plant and animal origin are mainly controlled by the Pesticides Control Act, Legal Notice 115 of 2004 which transposes Directive 1991/414/EC which relates to placing on the market of Plant Protection Products, and Legal Notice 14 of 2009 which implements EC Regulation 396 of 2005 which relates to Maximum Residue Levels of Plant Protection Products on Food and Feed of Plant and Animal Origin.
Inspections and testing are held on a regular basis on both local and imported produce placed on the Maltese market, by MSA officials. The products tested and the frequency of the tests carried out are according to the above regulations.