A MEETING called in York by scientists and food producers to discuss the issue of pesticide residues in food and drink has been thrown open to the public.

The six-hour workshop, organised by the York-based Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC), will be held at the MoatHouse Hotel in York on Wednesday, May 18 from 9.45am. It will be free, but on a ticket-only basis.

Experts in the field of pesticide regulation and control will take part in the public meeting which has been organised to provoke public debate on the issue.

The workshop will also give people the chance to find out more about the work undertaken by the PRC and the pesticide residues monitoring programme in the UK.

Speakers from across the UK will converge on York to field questions. The line-up includes Professor Alan Boobis, from the Imperial College School of Medicine, and Dr Vyvyan Howard, from the University of Liverpool, who will be discussing the scientific background to underpinning the regulations.

The food producers' view of regulation will be covered by Dr Ian Gillot. Dr Kevin Jones, from Brunel University, will discuss the differences in risk perception between consumers and experts.

For tickets, phone Alex Steele on 01904 455740 or e-mail PRC@psd.defra.gsi.gov.uk for further information.

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, May 04, 2005