MCPA supports Dietary Risk Assessment Training Seminar by the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia

The Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association (MCPA), in collaboration with the Pesticides Control Division, Department of Agriculture, Malaysia organized a 1-day training on Dietary Risk Assessment on 5 Jun 2015 at the Institut Latihan Pengembangan Pertanian (ILPP), Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

The objective of the seminar was to improve the skills and competencies of regulatory authorities involved in risk assessment and estimation of pesticide residues in food crops. The participants included five members from MCPA and 22 officers from the Pesticides Control Division,  authorities from other government agencies who are members of the committee of the Pesticides Board, the Ministry of Health Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Department of Veterinary Services, Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and Department of Chemistry.

During his opening address, Yang Berbahagia Encik Halimi Mahmud, Director, Pesticides Control Division, Department of Agriculture Malaysia, stressed the importance of the training and also shared his appreciation with the MCPA for extending support and technical expertise. The training was led by Dr Frank Laporte from Bayer CropScience who is an expert on Dietary Risk Assessment based in France. Dr.Laporte is also a member of the Residue Expert Group of the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA).

The team from MCPA was led by Mr Tay Chee How, Deputy Chairman who gave the welcoming remarks. Mr. Chooi Lam Khong, Executive Director of MCPA, shared details about the CropLife International network as well as various initiatives undertaken across Asia and globally to promote stewardship and sustainability in agriculture. Further, he highlighted the importance of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and stressed the risks posed by illegal pesticides to the farmers, crops and the environment. The seminar was a success and was well appreciated by the Department of Agriculture and the other participating agencies.

Over the past few decades, MCPA has engaged in training and capacity-building efforts particularly among the smallholder farmers on GAP, IPM (Integrated Pest Management), Responsible Use of crop protection products and empty pesticide container management in the country. As a member of the CropLife Asia and CropLife International networks, MCPA is continually striving for synergistic partnerships to advocate for a safe and sustainable food supply in the country.