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QS-Report Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes | Issue September 2019 Gemüseproduktion Felgentreu GmbH QS-Report Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes Guest article by Dr. Eva Fornefeld, Julius Kühn Insti- tut, Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants Bacterial ring rot and bacterial wilt or brown rot pose serious risks to potato production. Even if the num- ber of cases in recent years in Germany, the second largest potato cultivation area in the EU, was low or sometimes the bacteria responsible for the outbreak – Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus (also known as “Cms”) or Ralstonia solanacearum (“Rs”) – were not found in any of the samples, the occurren- ce of the diseases in other potato-growing countries poses the risk of their introduction to Germany. This is particularly problematic given the lack of possibili- ties for controlling the bacteria in the plants or tubers, since no resistant potato varieties are available yet. In potatoes, the bacterium Cms can cause bacterial ring rot. The bacterium Rs triggers wilt or brown rot in potatoes. Both bacteria are regulated in the Annex I, Part A of the Directive 2000/29/EC, i.e. their introduc- tion and dissemination are prohibited in EU Member Quarantine pests on potatoes One of our scheme participants: Gemüsering Analysis of the current situation in Germany and preventive measures A natural partner States. Regarding the production of seed potatoes, all propagation enterprises are tested for the qua- rantine pests Cms and Rs, and ran- dom samples are tested in ware potatoes. In total, the laboratories of the federal states analyse around 11,000 samples from seed potato production and around 2,000 sam- ples from ware potatoes across Germany every year. During the 2017 harvest, Germany reported two cases of Cms in seed potatoes. There were no positive samples in Gemüsering has established itself in recent years as one of our leading partners and service providers. The organisation’s focus is on regional pro- duce from its own cultivation and also from longstanding partner companies. Since its foundation in 1991, Gemüsering has developed into a nationally and internationally diversified company. Along with tomatoes, cabbage and carrots, its range also includes many other vegetable and fruit products. The company’s own cultivation and close cooperation with selected longstanding production partners enable continuous control and monitoring, from the se- lection of seeds and specific varieties through production and harvest to delivery to the customer. Its production in Germany is complemented by its own production facilities in southern Europe. Moreover, Gemüsering maintains close cooperation with large and specialised producers in order to ensure year-round availability of its products. The compa- ny’s own trading and service providers ensure supplementary procurement and an efficient logistics system with the shortest and fastest possible transport routes. Digitisation of systems and use of artificial intelligence for data processing, as well as the latest tech- nical equipment for production, sorting and packaging are all areas in which Gemüsering is constantly investing. QUALITY, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY Gemüsering’s superior quality manage- ment system, combined with quality assurance by individual partners, en- sures that all requirements are known, monitored and met along the entire production and supply chain. In this sense, Gemüsering has relied on the cross-stage QS scheme for more than 10 years, for its operations both in Ger- many and abroad. Since the standard is supported by all parties involved in the value chain, it enjoys a high level of acceptance. Furthermore, its coop- eration with QS promotes the intensive exchange of information in all areas for the benefit of the entire sector. In order to meet the ever more complex requirements while guaranteeing the speed and flexibility that are essential when handling fresh products, a profes- sional andmotivated team is key, says Dr. Thorsten Strissel, Head of Central Quality Management at Gemüsering. Moreover, its networks help with any challenges. In this re- gard, cooperation with QS is indispensable. The acceptance of the QS scheme along the entire supply chain has made it possible to mitigate or completely solve many problems. According to Dr. Strissel, for Gemüsering, it is important to keep the standard practicable and up to date for the future as well. To this end, there is no substitute for an active dialogue with all parties involved, as is taking place today through QS. CLIMATE NEUTRALITY In 2017, Gemüsering was the first company from the “Fresh Vegetables and Fruit” sector to be successfully certified for the sustainability standard of the Center for Sustainable Manage- ment – ZNU (Witten/Herdecke). Inmany areas, it was able to rely on the QS specifications. “We also appreciate the continuous development of the QS-GAP standard in this field and are glad to support this in our regular professional exchanges,” says Dr. Strissel.