Malta's consumer watchdog is to analyse food samples for traces of pesticides, as part of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Malta Laboratories Network and the Water Services Corporation.

This will be the first time pesticide analysis on food and agricultural products is carried out in Malta. Previously, such testing was always done overseas.
The MOU means the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority will be able to use WSC laboratories to carry out the necessary testing.

Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli said the agreement would join an €80,000 investment in forensics training for police officers in the government’s drive to improve Malta’s lab facilities. The training will involve the Netherlands Forensic Institute and is expected to start in June.

WSC already carries out 90,000 tests every year on 9,000 water samples and 6,500 sewage samples, WSC CEO Charles Brincat said. The corporation had bought new lab equipment in 2013 thanks to EU funds, he said.

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