Bayer CropScience, Chilean fruit producer Verfrut and importer SFI Rotterdam have entered into a partnership to produce high-quality table grapes according to GlobalGAP standards and good agricultural practices.
The agreement was signed during the PMA Fresh Summit 2011 in Atlanta, US, by Ignacio Donoso, commercial manager of Verfrut and Vicente Bravo, the person responsible for CRM and the Food Chain Partnership at Bayer CropScience Chile, according to a group press release.
The agreement will see the roll-out of a crop protection programme to optimise the use of pesticides, according to the principles of an Integrated Crop Management and Integrated Pest and Disease Management, and thereby promote the supply of healthy foods that comply with international standards.
Verfrut, SFI Rotterdam and Bayer CropScience will work together to ensure that residues of plant protection products – if used – do not exceed the maximum residue limits set by European legislation and comply with the recommendations of the German supermarket, where Chilean grapes are sold.
As part of the agreement, technical experts from Bayer CropScience will offer advice to Verfrut and visit the crop throughout the season to adapt the crop protection programme to the local conditions.
Bayer CropScience will also implement an Agricultural Monitoring Service on Verfrut’s vineyards to determine population dynamics, economic damage thresholds, mitigation or control tools and insecticide application schedule for a range of pests and diseases.
“Providing these services coupled with new technologies, we are contributing to the achievement of sustainable agriculture, in order to meet the growing demand for high-quality, healthy and affordable food, and protect the environment,” said María Fernanda Diaz, Bayer CropScience’s manager.
“We are confident that Bayer's consultancy will allow us, regardless of weather conditions, to deliver healthy products to the demanding European market,” added Ignacio Donoso, Verfrut commercial manager.
