More and more people are carrying around a disinfection spray, even though things are much more hygienic now than they were 30 or 40 years ago. However, people do live closer together nowadays and generally have lower immunity, which increases the risk of viruses and other diseases spreading. This can also be said to be true for horticulture. Horticultural companies have evolved into modernized high-tech companies over the past decade, says Filip van Langenhove, consultant at Koppert Biological Systems in Belgium.
This goes hand in hand with the thorough monoculture that is becoming more and more intense due to artificial lighting. The risks are high. For instance, nobody goes to check on the cucumber crops without wearing disposable coveralls, cover boots, disposable latex gloves and a visit to the hygiene lock. This is all in order to prevent viruses from transferring.
Even pepper growers, tomato growers and their visitors all suit up from head to toe. Some companies don’t even accept visitors anymore under the guise of company hygiene. However, in other cultivation, no hygiene measurements whatsoever are being taken when it comes to visitors. Information officers and representatives are also walking in and out without ever passing a disinfection mat, let alone wear work clothing.
When this is pointed out to the growers they often respond suspicious or dismiss the question by saying that they aren’t cultivating in a lab or something. It almost seems like they think of hygiene as a dirty word.
It probably appears a bit clinical at first, but it helps prevent the spreading of pests and diseases. Responsible industrial hygiene isn’t dirty at all when you think about it.
For more information:
Koppert Biological Systems
Veilingweg 14
2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs
Tel: 010-5140444
www.koppert.com