Activities of the Analytical Laboratories Section
Analytical Laboratories Section comprises 4 Laboratories specialized in different area of work as shown below. All Laboratories provide services to other sections of the Department of Agriculture either for the implementation of relevant legislation and annual monitoring programs or for providing technical support to the farmers.
Furthermore, Laboratories provide services to the private sector on payment according to the Approved Fees List of the Labs of the Department of Agriculture, Official Journal No.
5454, 29/1/2021.
1. Pesticide Formulations Laboratory
The Pesticide Formulations Laboratory is the official laboratory for the quality control of pesticide formulations in accordance to the Plant Protection Products Law of 2011 for the official control of pesticide formulations. The quality control includes the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the active ingredient and the determination of the physicochemical properties as well as any undesirable substances. The quality control of pesticide formulations is carried out according to annual programs at the retail level.Although the lab is not accredited; it implements the same QA system as the accredited laboratories of Department of Agriculture.
2. Pesticide Residues Laboratory
The Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for pesticide residues in feed. It is also the Official Laboratory for the analysis of pesticide residues in conventional and organic agricultural products on farmer’s level for the control of Good Agriculture Practice and for the use of non-authorised PPPs. The main agricultural products covered by the program are leafy and fruiting vegetables, grapes, strawberries, citrus, various fruit (pome and stone fruit) and potatoes.
The Laboratory is accredited according to ISO 17025:2017 and the field of application can be found at the website of CYS-CYSAB. Cert. No. L30).
3. Animal Feedingstuffs and Fertilizers Quality Control Laboratory
3.1 Feeding stuff The Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for the official controls in feeds and feed additives. The control is implemented in accordance with Reg. (EC) 665/2017 for the official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products.
The controls include the determination of undesirable substances, mycotoxins and plant toxins, metals and nitrogenous compounds, coccidiostats in feedingstuffs as well as analysis of nutritional parameters according to the labelling.
The Laboratory is accredited according to ISO 17025:2017 and the field of application can be found at the website of CYS-CYSAB. Cert. No. L34).
3.2 Fertilizers
The Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for the control of fertilizers in accordance with the Fertilizers Control Law of 32(I)/2006 as well as the Regulation (EC) 2003/2003. The control includes the major and secondary nutritional elements as well as trace elements.
3.3 Leaves
The Laboratory carries out analysis on leaf samples for determining nutritional deficiencies and fertilization practices.
4. Soils and Water Laboratory
4.1 Soils
The Laboratory carries out analysis on soil samples for the determination of the nutrient status in order to provide guidance on fertilization practices. Analysis includes parameters such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), organic matter, pH, calcium carbonate and soil texture.
4.2 Water
The Laboratory carries out analysis of water for irrigation purposes and on nutrient solutions used in hydroponics.