In 2019, the whole asparagus production -around 1,300 tons- will be commercialized by Fruidor (Planasa’s commercial partner) as Zero-Pesticide Residue (ZRP) and a part of the asparagus produced by Planasa France will be marketed under this recently obtained label, which is part of the group’s commitment to integrated farming. After the asparagus, also Planasa’s blueberries will be commercialized in France as ZPR.
This approach is developed within the framework of the Nouveaux Champs initiative, which aims to guarantee the absence of pesticide residues. Our aim is to have an integrated sustainable and environment-friendly farming as well as food safety, with the aim of lowering our TFI (Treatment Frequency Index) in the asparagus and blueberries produced in France.
How does the ZRP label work?
In the case of Planasa, there is a grey list of active substances to be monitored, including all active substances registered for asparagus and their metabolites. Substances related to the existence of other crops in the surrounding environment (risk of cross-contamination) may be added. However, for us the risk of cross-contamination is almost non-existent since we grow 200 hectares of asparagus on a single plot, with only our production of blueberries covered with plastic next to it. Besides, each batch of asparagus is controlled by an independent laboratory certified by Cofrac.
Launched in April 2017 by Les Paysan de Rougeline, then developed within the Collectif Nouveaux Champs, the Zero Residue Pesticides label guarantees the absence of residues of the Active Substances researched. Three lists are established for each species: a green list of preferred substances, a grey list of wanted substances and a black list of prohibited substances.
Starting from seven companies, this initiative has now 53 members and 3,000 producers who represent more than 10% of French fruit and vegetable production. 26 species have been labelled, and more than 20 others are planned for 2019, with an extension to products different from fresh fruit and vegetables, like apple juice, durum wheat…
In 2018, the results of this initiative were: an average decrease in the IFT of 51% and an average capital gain of +35-40% (+25% to +80%).
