Apple Futures - Meeting the Market Challenge of Delivering Ultra Low Residue Levels
Apple Futures is a Pipfruit NZ venture designed to deliver apples and pears with, in the worst case scenario, ultra low residues. At the AsureQuality Wellington Laboratory we are the forefront of technology - using testing regimes able to detect residues present but at levels well below the current detection level.
The Apple Futures Programme
The introduction of the Integrated Fruit Production Programme (IFP) in the 1990s phased out the use of harsh chemicals, and replaced these with more acceptable orchard management techniques, and softer sprays for the control of insects and disease. This has become the industry standard, and adopted by buyers in key world markets. They now demand that all suppliers to these Northern Hemisphere markets produce fruit to the standards obtainable under the IFP programme.
European retailers continue to demand fruit with even lower chemical residues, and are challenging their suppliers to meet increasingly stringent residue standards. In response the NZ industry has commenced Apple Futures, the three year project charged with developing, commercializing, and implementing that capability.
The challenge the project faces is that at this point “residue free” is an unrealistic claim, that in practice is highly unlikely to be achieved by an active production system - especially one that maintains high quality, attractive fruit. Even in the most advanced programmes, pest and disease pressures in any given season may demand the use of particular plant protection products to ensure fruit quality is maintained, but which in turn may deliver a residue, albeit at low levels.
For more information visit the Pipfruit NZ website
