Cereal contaminants monitoring review (2024)

We have conducted independent work on monitoring agro-chemical residues and contaminants in cereals since the mid-1980s. A strategic review of this monitoring project will ensure that it continues to deliver the best value to levy payers.

In 2024, we asked people to complete a short questionnaire to let us know what they think about grain contaminants.

The questionnaire:

• Gauged which contaminants are of the greatest concern
• Asked who monitors contaminants
• Captured opinions on AHDB’s contaminants monitoring research

The questionnaire was open until Monday 30 September 2024.

The results will help the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds sector council agree how it invests the levy to support monitoring of cereal contaminants in the UK.

The current contaminants monitoring project conducts an annual survey of the incidence and levels of key mycotoxins (e.g. DON, ZON, T2/HT2, OTA and ergot alkaloids) and other contaminants (e.g. pesticides, heavy metals, CIPC and PAHs) in commercial samples of UK-grown wheat, barley and oats, and co-products (wheatfeed and oatfeed).