Traces of pesticides can be found on more than half of French vegetables, fruits and cereals, an EU survey reveals. France, which often claims to be leading 'natural' food production in Europe, comes close to bottom of the survey on traces of pesticides on food. Only the Netherlands and Austria do worse. Britain comes off relatively well. France is the second largest user of pesticides in the world, behind the US, consuming 100,000 tonnes a year.
Pesticides can cause cancer, reduce fertility, and damage wildlife.
From 2004 in Europe it will be compulsory for eggs to be labelled as to their farming method. Battery eggs will have to be labelled 'Eggs from caged hens'. However eggs imported into the EU will be allowed to label their eggs 'Method of production unknown' - this is because the EU is frightened of a WTO challenge. Your best move, if you eat eggs and products containing them, is to ask if they are free-range eggs. Almost half the British population is cutting back on meat or going vegetarian in the wake of BSE and other food scares.