The first ever fresh produce good hygiene practice guide has been launched to support producers of watercress grown in flowing water, with practical advice on how to comply with food hygiene legislation and related requirements.
UK Watercress growers have collaborated with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to develop The Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice – Watercress which is not only a guide covering the primary production of watercress, but the first guide covering the primary production of any fresh produce or crop to be drafted in line with the FSA’s guidance.
The Guide, written by Harper Adams University’s Dr Jim Monaghan, Reader - Fresh Produce and Horticulture, provides information on legal obligations for producers of watercress and what they need to do to comply with food hygiene law, as well as other aspects such as good practice, which are not legal requirements, but are likely to contribute to the overall achievement of food safety.
Dr Monaghan said: “This guide has drawn on experienced growers and food safety managers and presents the best advice for watercress growers to ensure that they grow safe food.”
Watercress growers are not obliged to follow the Guide, but they are encouraged to use it on a voluntary basis particularly as local authority enforcement officers are required to take account of its contents when carrying out an inspection of a business.
The Guide is available to download for free from www.watercress.co.uk/about/seed-to-shop/
The Guide applies to watercress that is grown commercially in flowing water and covers hygiene standards for the primary production of fresh and unprocessed watercress. The crop is grown in specially constructed beds with gravel bases, however, the risks of contamination are similar to those related to other outdoor grown leafy crops such as wildlife and pests, but a particular focus is required on managing the risk associated with potential contamination of the water source.
The Guide has been compiled by the Watercress Industry Working Group with representatives from The Watercress Company, Vitacress, Hairspring Watercress, the FSA, Dorset County Council Trading Standards, Winchester City Council Environmental Health and AHDB.
AHDB Horticulture Chairman, Gary Taylor, said: “We hope, from an AHDB perspective, this Guide is taken up by watercress growers, so they continue to produce high quality watercress and have access to vital guidance backed up by detailed research and knowledge.”
Charles Barter, Chairman of the NFU Watercress Association concludes: “The Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice – Watercress is an invaluable tool for all primary producers of watercress grown in flowing water, the traditional farming method. Contained in one easy to read booklet are all the key considerations for ensuring a safe and hygienic production process. No watercress grower should be without it.”
Source: Harper Adams University







Announcements
Job Offers
- Farm Manager Abu ADhabi
- Key Account Manager Canada and USA
- Export Sales Manager Europe Division
- Directors - New Zealand
- Nursery Production Manager Victoria Australia
- Technical Sales Consultant, Washington
- Export Sales Manager North America Exports
- Head Grower Hydroponic Greenhouse
- Account Manager – South-East Asia
- Vegetable Seed - EU Sales and Regional Manager
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 -yesterday
- "Azerbaijan has great potential for vegetable exports"
- Results from intra-canopy lighting study published
- "VPD tells you how a plant is feeling"
- "Gas prices are high, so we’ve halted part of our production"
- "It is very frustrating as we have the land, we have the water, we have the sun but no labor"
Top 5 -last week
Top 5 -last month
- "Honduras greenhouse park to become the largest producer-exporter in the Central American region"
- Netherlands: Codema Systems Group declared bankrupt
- Canada: Dutch holding company acquires Ontario Plants Propagation
- Autonomous robots can pick up to 25,000 raspberries per day
- 32 acres of high-wire greenhouse available for lease in Tehachapi, CA
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2017-11-30 Cleaning the interior of a greenhouse
- 2017-11-29 US (AL): Hard freeze has ended growing season for warm-weather crops
- 2017-11-28 UK: Industry guide to good hygiene practice for watercress launched
- 2017-11-27 "Giving your plants an unparalleled start is fundamental for their growing success"
- 2017-11-24 Rockwool and green waste after the crop rotation
- 2017-11-23 NL: Herbie new agent against fusarium?
- 2017-11-22 Organic disinfection of trays with UV light
- 2017-11-21 "Turbo fogging saves time and creates the cleanest result"
- 2017-11-20 Weterings Mechanisatie speeds up greenhouse crop change
- 2017-11-17 "Responsibly clean glass with HGC+"
- 2017-11-16 Crop rotation: chance to reduce emissions further
- 2017-11-15 Netherlands: Wet stone wool brings extra work
- 2017-11-14 Be prepared to clean the inner glass by the end of the season
- 2017-11-13 "Make substrate slabs as dry as possible"
- 2017-11-10 Disinfection: Well begun is half done
- 2017-11-08 US (MI): Sign up for winter greenhouse online courses
- 2017-11-07 Preparing your greenhouse & hydroponic operation for winter
- 2017-11-06 "Every percent more light in winter is pure profit"
- 2017-11-03 How to use drip emitters
- 2017-11-02 "Save time and energy with water-based pipe paint"