31 august 2020
The United Nations have declared 2020 the International Year of Plant Health. For plants and crops, the substrate in which they are grown is a major factor in their health. One way to contribute to the prevention of plant diseases and pests which affect (ornamental) crops, is to start the culture with clean and pure RHP-certified substrate.
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA, says on its website in connection with import requirements: “The NVWA considers, among other things, RHP Horticulture-certified soil as an effective system approach to guarantee that the growing medium is free of pest organisms.” The phytosanitary requirements for RHP-certified raw materials and substrates are even more extensive than the EU regulations. And substrate producers supply growing media under the RHP quality mark to growers worldwide.
The chain control system for the RHP quality mark starts at the earliest stage – where risks may occur - and continues until delivery of the substrate at the greenhouse. In this production chain, strict requirements are set for hygiene, storage and transport of raw materials and substrate. The processes and products are independently audited by a certification body, ECAS or Kiwa. It is precisely this chain control that ensures that the risks of diseases or pests are minimalised as much as possible. It offers the most security as possible that the substrate is pure and clean for a healthy start of the culture.
