Oranges, carrots, beans, spinach, cucumber, potatoes, sweet peppers and olive oil were not tested by the market surveillance directorate between 2014 and 2016, even though they had been found to exceed maximum pesticide levels in previous years.

A damning report issued by the National Audit Office today was scathing about the loopholes in the testing and monitoring system, noting that none of the 10 most consumed products were tested for pesticide residues by the directorate in 2014-2016, including watermelons, sugar melons and vegetable marrows.

“MSD's sampling with regard to its national programmes for 2014, 2015 and 2016 did not consider a number of product categories deemed as high risk. This can be seen through an evaluation of three critical risk variables, namely consumption of produce, product history on the basis of previously failed residue tests as well as product risks as determined by influential agencies,” it said.

The Environment Working Group US lists a number of agriculture products that are considered as high risks in terms of pesticide residue. Out of the 12 top ranked products, over the three-year period under review, MSD did not test three of these products, namely celery, cherries and nectarines.

The MSD’s testing did not extend to around half of the 30 items of agricultural produce considered by the National Statistics Office as being among the most consumed products locally

During the period 2014 to 2016, MSD only carried out eight inspections and reviewed 82 plant protection products, while none were carried out during 2015.

To add insult to injury, MSD's inspections concerning pesticide levels on agricultural produce placed on the market focused on the pitkali and farmers' markets as well as imported goods. But the MSD's testing did not extend to around half of the 30 items of agricultural produce considered by the National Statistics Office as being among the most consumed products locally.

Another problem identified by the NAO was that during 2016, MSD only received the test results from the foreign contracted laboratory, on average, 40 days following submission – by when most of the produce will have been consumed.

The NAO was also appalled at the follow-up, noting that during the three-year period reviewed, MSD did not carry out subsequent inspections at economic operators whose produce had failed previous residue tests.

“This state of affairs is further evidenced since none of the economic operators who had legal action instituted against them was targeted with a second inspection,” it said.

Pesticides residue in fruit, vegetables and cereals ranks as the top health-related concern among EU citizens. The World Health Organisation estimates that, worldwide, pesticides poison at least three million people each year, which in cases prove fatal.