Calls for traceability growing
Calls for traceability growing
DEMANDS from maltsters, millers, and their end-user customers for a full declaration of which pesticides have been applied to crops are increasing. Comprehensive traceability will soon be a requirement for all human consumption grain.
So says a leading East Anglian grain merchant who is convinced schemes currently in force for vegetables will soon apply to cereals.
But the NFU quality assurance scheme should not be rushed in, says Michael Banks of Sidney C Banks of Sandy in Bedfordshire. "It is important to ensure we get it right. The big danger of a hastily prepared scheme is that we could very easily shoot ourselves in the foot. We do not want to end up with our hands tied behind our back. We should aim to have a scheme in place in time for the 1998 harvest season."
In future malting barley buyers will insist on checking the grains chemical history back to the field, says Mr Banks. A high proportion of the companys contract growers already have the information to satisfy detailed scrutiny. For the past seven to eight years Banks has reserved the right to know what has been applied to its contract-grown crops of malting barley.
So far none of the companys customers has asked for a full written declaration of pesticides and fertilisers applied to cereal crops, notes Mr Banks. However, such requests will be made, he forecasts. To validate the information spot checks will be made on the farm of origin to ensure data is accurate.
"As a grain producer myself I do not fear this prospect at all," says Mr Banks. "This is what the public now expects and we should comply."
DEMANDS from maltsters, millers, and their end-user customers for a full declaration of which pesticides have been applied to crops are increasing. Comprehensive traceability will soon be a requirement for all human consumption grain.
So says a leading East Anglian grain merchant who is convinced schemes currently in force for vegetables will soon apply to cereals.
But the NFU quality assurance scheme should not be rushed in, says Michael Banks of Sidney C Banks of Sandy in Bedfordshire. "It is important to ensure we get it right. The big danger of a hastily prepared scheme is that we could very easily shoot ourselves in the foot. We do not want to end up with our hands tied behind our back. We should aim to have a scheme in place in time for the 1998 harvest season."
In future malting barley buyers will insist on checking the grains chemical history back to the field, says Mr Banks. A high proportion of the companys contract growers already have the information to satisfy detailed scrutiny. For the past seven to eight years Banks has reserved the right to know what has been applied to its contract-grown crops of malting barley.
So far none of the companys customers has asked for a full written declaration of pesticides and fertilisers applied to cereal crops, notes Mr Banks. However, such requests will be made, he forecasts. To validate the information spot checks will be made on the farm of origin to ensure data is accurate.
"As a grain producer myself I do not fear this prospect at all," says Mr Banks. "This is what the public now expects and we should comply."
DEMANDS from maltsters, millers, and their end-user customers for a full declaration of which pesticides have been applied to crops are increasing. Comprehensive traceability will soon be a requirement for all human consumption grain.
So says a leading East Anglian grain merchant who is convinced schemes currently in force for vegetables will soon apply to cereals.
But the NFU quality assurance scheme should not be rushed in, says Michael Banks of Sidney C Banks of Sandy in Bedfordshire. "It is important to ensure we get it right. The big danger of a hastily prepared scheme is that we could very easily shoot ourselves in the foot. We do not want to end up with our hands tied behind our back. We should aim to have a scheme in place in time for the 1998 harvest season."
In future malting barley buyers will insist on checking the grains chemical history back to the field, says Mr Banks. A high proportion of the companys contract growers already have the information to satisfy detailed scrutiny. For the past seven to eight years Banks has reserved the right to know what has been applied to its contract-grown crops of malting barley.
So far none of the companys customers has asked for a full written declaration of pesticides and fertilisers applied to cereal crops, notes Mr Banks. However, such requests will be made, he forecasts. To validate the information spot checks will be made on the farm of origin to ensure data is accurate.
"As a grain producer myself I do not fear this prospect at all," says Mr Banks. "This is what the public now expects and we should comply."
TRACEABILITY
• Full details of pesticide use soon for human use markets.
• Dont rush NFU scheme – harvest 1998 OK.
• Avoid tying farmers hands.
• Competitive advantage for UK exporters.