| Change since | |
 |
1970 |
 |
1990 |
|
1998 |
Coverage: United Kingdom
Source: Defra
- In 2002, 1.0 per cent of assessed samples exceeded the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) for pesticides, down from 1.8 per cent in 1990 and 1.3 per cent in 1998.
- The proportion of exceedences has fallen despite an increase in the number of MRLs, from 1,000 in 1990 to 10,500 in 1998 and over 18,000 in 2002.