Gusland McCook, Contributor

Since coffee was introduced to Jamaica in 1728, the industry has faced several challenges. The industry now faces the new challenge of meeting the maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by importer countries.

Chemicals are used in coffee cultivation to combat weeds, insect pests and diseases. Some may be toxic; some may have long residual time, and some may biomagnify as they move up the food chain.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines risk criteria of pesticides and established multilateral agreements that serve as guides for their safe use. Importer countries then set MRLs for imported products according to their national standards.

Japan receives approximately 85 per cent of Jamaica's coffee exports. Therefore, the requirements of that market in regard to MRLs is of significant concern to Jamaica.

Japan has established MRLs for domestic and imported agricultural commodities. For coffee, MRLs for approximately 140 listed pesticides have been defined. Their legislations now mandate stricter monitoring of imported products by the testing of all food products entering a Japanese port.

Some of the chemicals for which the Japanese have set MRLs include:

Thiodan - used only against the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB).

Decis - used on pests other than the CBB.

Round-up - a systemic for weeds.

Anvil - a systemic fungus.

Gramoxone -a contact for weeds.

integrated management approach

The Coffee Industry Board (CIB) has implemented an integrated management approach to reducing the pest population and ultimately, the effect of the CBB. It has also formulated codes of practice (COP) which seek to address the major environmental problems generated by the industry, establishing minimum acceptable operating standards.

The CIB is certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO: 9000). This results in greater operating efficiency in record keeping and turnaround time, which will improve the board's monitoring and regulating capabilities.

The staff has received training in hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) principles and in the application of the Japanese Food Safety Law. The CIB is to establish a pesticide residue laboratory to allow us to test our coffee beans before sale.

The CIB will soon be having training seminars with the relevant stakeholders to reinforce the COP in the industry, provide greater awareness to farmers, processors, exporters and workers about their joint responsibility in maintaining Jamaica's premium position in the international coffee market in terms of quality and the observance of the MRLs of importing countries.