Globally recognised provider of proficiency tests, running over 400 tests annually across an extensive range of matrices and analytes
A single sample taken by an ecologist at any time during the newt breeding season can determine their presence or absence, saving you time and money
It is important that the risk these products and their active ingredients pose to humans and the environment is acceptable.
Humans can be exposed to pesticides through dietary and non-dietary exposure routes. Consumers could be exposed to pesticide residues in food produced from treated crops, crops grown in sites of previous pesticide application and products from animals that may have consumed feed containing pesticide residues .
Understanding the nature of the residues in crops is important in determining the consumer exposure.
Generally a pesticide should be lethal to the targeted pests, but not to non-target species, including other plants. Overall pesticides have greatly contributed to pest control and agricultural output over the decades, but rigorous testing is always required to ensure pesticide residues are within safe limits.
Using a wealth of experience gained supporting plant breeders, agrochemical and biopesticide manufacturing industries, Fera Science is able to perform Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant plant metabolism studies from its state-of-the-art facilities in the UK. Our team has a wealth of expertise in global regulations and we offer a comprehensive range of environmental testing services. We can design studies to meet your specific data requirements that take into account the properties of the test item and its potential routes of environmental exposure.
With a background in chemistry, Ainsley leads multidisciplinary projects (including GLP –compliant studies) and monitoring programmes to study exposure to chemicals and effects of chemicals on the environment and humans.
Phil is the senior environmental fate scientist for chemical safety at Fera with 10 years’ experience in the area. With a background in biochemistry, Phil manages commercial and research projects within the environmental fate and behaviour sector. Phil performs the role of study director for highly technical studies as well as manages a large team of GLP study director’s working on a variety of chemical classes and regulations.
Victoria is a Senior Environmental Fate Scientist for chemical safety at Fera. With a background in chemistry, Victoria performs the role of GLP study director for commercial and research projects within the environmental fate and behaviour sector.
We estimate we have grown over 2,000,000 plants over the last 20 years in support of science. The plants can be native species, agricultural or horticultural or can be from anywhere in the world. Recent examples are cropping Rice from Asia and growing Cassava from Africa.
Some of our facilities are dedicated Plant Health Quarantine facilities where scientists can work on non-indigenous pathogens. We also have facilities used for radiolabelled plant metabolism, plant ecotoxicity, efficacy work, insect culturing work, R&D and PhD student studies.
We can cater for an extensive range of crops including some of the global major species including Cotton, Lettuce, Maize, Potatoes, Rice, Soya, Sunflower, Tomato, Turnip and Wheat, grown from seed to maturity.
GLP Compliance & Integrated Service - Study design & delivery, expert regulatory advice, radiosynthesis support and metabolite identification underpinned by a dedicated Quality Assurance (QA) team with over 50 years of GLP experience in QA inspection, compliance and UK regulations.
In order to face future challenges, we need to continue to pioneer new diagnostic and measurement technologies. Just some of the features of our facilities;
The Thomson Suite is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the UK. It is a bespoke laboratory running to GLP quality standards that houses over 40 different machines including the latest High Resolution & Time of Flight MS technology. Fera also operates a range of other analytical chemistry capabilities including Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, Liquid and Gas Chromatography (LC) (GC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
Our extensive range of plant growth high-containment facilities here at Fera, can accommodate and simulate most global climates, this allows for a real-life scenario based on replicating conditions of the plant’s natural habitat.
The glasshouses and controlled environment (CE) rooms/cabinets are operated by sophisticated computer software that controls heating, cooling, lighting and often humidity and are essential for growing relevant crop types from seed to maturity. Containment and exclusion are achieved by positive and negative air pressures, limited swipe access, dedicated clothing, autoclaving waste and disinfection. We also have access to specialist equipment like small scale land-based machinery. To support all of this we also have our very own dedicated horticultural team with many years of experience and a vast array of knowledge to rely upon.
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