Factors Affecting the Availability of Plant Protection Products in Ireland

摘要

Today's consumers of horticultural products are very aware of issues such as food safety, environmental protection, waste management, health and safety of workers, and so on. Such factors already affect the purchasing decisions of some consumers. Growers must also ensure that the system used to deliver a horticultural product to the marketplace takes into account legislative and best practice requirements while retaining all the quality attributes that the consumer demands. It must also, in the caseof a food product, be safe to eat, have no microbiological contaminants, or the presence of residues of plant protection products above permitted MRLs (maximum residue levels). The product must be produced such that no damage was caused to the environment and any waste produced was handled in line with national standards. The workers who grow, harvest, and package the product must be provided with a safe and secure work place that does not endanger their health. It is not easy or cheap to produce quality produce for today's market. The horticultural industry knows what is required to satisfy the market and strives every day to achieve and in many cases exceed these demands.