2007, Volume XI, Issue 1REGULATORY NEWSIn an August 17, 2006, Recommendation on the prevention and reduction of Fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal products, the European Commission urged all member states to adopt good farm and manufacturing practices. Member stateswere advised to develop national codes of practice that follow the general principles for reducing mycotoxins outlined in the 2003Code of Practice developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The EC further recommended that member states take into account local cereal species, environmental conditions, and risk factors when choosing specific control strategies to include in their national codes. The document outlined Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cereals, including crop rotation; suitable choice of variety/hybrid; proper crop planning and soil and crop management; and strategies for controlling infection during harvesting, drying, storage, and transport from storage. Detailed information on the GAP system appears in the Official Journal of the European Union L 234/35 of August 29, 2006. |