Controlled integrated cultivation

Controlled integrated cultivation

Quality assurance begins with the choice of seed or plants used in the field.

Our fruit and vegetable producers rely mainly on controlled integrated cultivation. This environmentally friendly method of cultivation is a tried and tested way of producing top quality fruit and vegetables.

With integrated cultivation the producer coordinates all the crop-growing measures perfectly with each other. A uniform, mandatory cultivation system ensures fruit and vegetables are produced not only in an environmentally friendly way but that they also live up to rigorous consumer demands in terms of flavour, quality ingredients, appearance and freshness.

Every producer involved in controlled integrated cultivation is obliged to adhere to the cultivation guidelines, which regulate the following aspects among others:

• Choice of site
• Choice of seed and plant stock
• Crop rotation
• Beneficial insect-friendly plant protection
• Soil cultivation and care
• Plant nutrition and protection
• Harvesting, grading, storage and processing

Regular monitoring by a neutral institution (ACG Agrar-Control GmbH, Bonn) ensures fruit and vegetable producers adhere to the guidelines.

Further information from: North Rhine Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture

QS Quality Assurance

QS is the world?s leading quality assurance system based on meat production and it has since been introduced into fruit and vegetable production as well as potato growing.

The QS system sets a quality standard, which is checked by accredited testing institutes at the production facilities.

The QS system operates on several levels; apart from the actual growing of fruit and vegetables it includes the trade in produce too. Wholesalers are dealt with first and as produce is sold and marketed retailers are too.

The QS system is based on controlled integrated production and is currently the most modern, practicable and comprehensive quality assurance system in Germany.

Landgard joined the system in February 2004 and will incorporate all contractually bound producers in the QS system in the foreseeable future. At present over 350 businesses have conducted the QS audit, 200 of which have already been audited in 2004. This means most central market products are almost completely covered by the QS system.

It is possible to see which producers are registered for quality assurance in the QS database by consulting the QS company website.

Landgard Obst & Gemüse acts as a coordinator for QS quality assured businesses and runs training programs, after which producers may apply for QA status with QS through Landgard.

IFS Certificate
at Roisdorf

IFS Certificate
at Straelen

IFS Certificate
at Glehn

Further information from: QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, Bonn

QS quality assurance at the wholesale stage

Landgard not only participates in the QS system through its producers but is also accredited as a wholesaler in its own right.

The first audit of Landgard stores and markets took place in March 2004. Since April 2005 we have been a part of a QS residue monitoring system. By including Landgard?s wholesale business in the QS system a high standard of quality assurance for other customers in the chain is achieved.

Further information from: QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, Bonn

EurepGAP

The EurepGAP System is a global assurance system covering only the production stage in fruit, vegetables, potatoes and grain crops.

This is an international system, which has already been practised in many countries around the world for several years. Its international status means produce can be compared globally, which is important for the export trade. Which is why many wholesalers, agencies and exporters involved in international business require only EurepGAP certification from their suppliers.

Landgard has responded promptly to this and has had its contractually bound producers certified to the EurepGAP standard since February 2004.

EurepGAP certification and registration numbers of producers may be inspected on our site.

Further information from: Foodplus

International Food Standard

This assurance system for retailers is applied at the stages prior to food retailing (wholesale and services) and provides the highest possible level of assurance for produce in terms of freshness, hygiene and traceability.

Landgard submitted to this system as long ago as September 2004 and passed at a high level. Auditing by an accredited business is initially repeated once a year.

The IFS Standard is currently the most far-reaching assurance system at the marketing stage in the fruit and vegetable category. Comprehensive quality management is required and monitored in the business based on DIN ISO norms. Risk analyses, preventative measures and corrective interventions have to be defined and carried out. These procedures are also checked. Adhering to the IFS Standard is only possible with a specific team of trained staff, investments in technology and a lean corporate structure. It is why IFS certification provides a guarantee of audited quality assurance in the wholesale trade.

Further information from: FoodCare HDE, Berlin

Trans-border integrated quality assurance systems (GIQS)

Landgard is involved in and a member of GIQS e.V., which in response to the globalisation of markets has taken charge of quality assurance in production flows not only domestically but in neighbouring countries too.

This system is supported by EU development funds as part of an INTERREG project.

Further information from: GIQS e.V., Bonn project office, Bonn University