NON-CROP
The ever increasing impact
of the Food Industry on
pest management
The need to protect food from pests does not end at the farm gate.
Rob Fryatt considers the pest management requirments of the
food industry
C
rop protection companies are not supply channel. Initially with raw material storage manufacturer, especially with large chains
alone in understanding and reacting and transport. Not just in grain stores, which are such as Walmart, Carrefour and Tesco, who
to the impact of the food industry. As increasingly treated by professional fumigation claim to “own” their customers. Their highest
an industry segment, it is second only companies under EU crop assurance schemes, but concerns are around the potential bad press
to the residential termite control market in its also in the sea shipment of bulk commodities and image resulting from pest invasion. More
importance to the global pest management from grain through meat to perishable fruit and and more in western Europe this has to be
industry. For many years it has had an ever vegetable. The opportunity for the accidental balanced against the demand and constraints of
increasing influence on pest management introduction of non-native species increases each organic production, and not only for fresh fruit
products, technical application and service level year, requiring specialist inspection and treatment. and vegetables. This leads to the adaptation
demands. The raw materials are then stored, processed, of integrated pest management approaches
prepared and packed at food factories. These to meet the demands of organic produce
Whereas a major focus for the crop protection increasingly adopt global standards of auditing, accreditation systems.
industry’s engagement with the food requiring pest management professionals
industry concerns pesticide residues, the pest to continually understand international pest Supermarkets consider many aspects that
management industry has a complex influence management techniques and procedures that are related to image rather than technical
and interaction with the food industry, often may not yet be available to them locally. From control before awarding a service contract.
not around the expected aspects of pesticides here products move either to the Consumer Some examples commonly encountered are:
but rather of practice and service. To highlight through the retail channel of small stores, farmer When and how is the service technician able
just three examples, quality pest management markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets or to service the store with 24 hour opening? If
is a prerequisite to HACCP (Hazard Analysis of into the hospitality market through trade supply serviced whilst the store is open, is the service
Critical Control Points) procedures that inform channels, each of which has differing priorities and technician permitted to wear company shirts
food hygiene legislation worldwide, a cultural demands. with a pest control company logo when inside
prerequisite to ensure that Kosher food is pest stores on regular inspections? Where do they
free, and increasingly, an important factor in the Consumer Influences park their service vehicle and is it allowed
image of the supermarkets. Looking at pest control in the food chain from to have a company logo? None of these
the Consumer perspective, their goals are have anything to do with the quality of the
Interface with the Food Industry clear; pest free food that has the minimum of professional service but factors that influence
The Pest Management industry interfaces with pesticide residues. Increasingly that assurance the ability to service the client to the highest
the food industry at many points in the food is given by the retailer rather than the brand possible standards.
The premier showcase for excellence
in the crop protection industry
Enter now! www.agrowawards.com
 May 2007  •  www.agrowmag.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44