Mansfields: Residue minimisation approach at Mansfields

15 June 2006

Mansfields are dedicated to seek ways to reducing environmental risks and reliance on pesticides. One of our aims is to reduce pesticide use and minimise residues by following the principles of Integrated Crop Management (ICM). ICM is a cropping strategy in which growers aim to conserve and enhance the environment whilst producing safe and wholesome food commercially.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a part of ICM and involves developing pest control strategies based on environmental control, biocontrol and the use of physical and chemical control agents. Much work has been done by Mansfields to keep the residues to a minimum and now we have conducted a residue free trial in one of our orchards growing Cox, Gala and Russet.

We are aiming to achieve residue free fruit by using the following methods:
1. Autumn applications in combination with a good husbandry like mowing or pulverising after leaf fall to facilitate rapid breakdown of leaves and other orchard litter- this should provide a good control of over-wintering pests and diseases
2. Scab and mildew programme through to petal fall, then reliance on organic compounds
3. Crop monitoring and timed insecticides- we are using pheromone traps to monitor the flight of Codling, Summer Fruit Tortrix and Fruit Tree Tortrix moths, to determine when the threshold for spraying is reached

About Us

Located in Kent, the Garden of England, Mansfields is one of the largest growers and packers of top, stone and soft fruit with over 35 years of experience. The family run business is the biggest UK apple grower and the largest UK cherry grower, whilst also growing pears, plums and strawberries in significant volumes. Mansfields is one of the only UK top fruit operations that is expanding both fruit production and packing facilities. The company comprises of over 3,000 acres of top fruit (dessert apples, culinary apples and pears), stone fruit (cherries and plums) and soft fruit (strawberries), which are grown on 15 locations in Kent at varied geographic locations in order to extend harvest seasons and to mitigate weather related risk. The main storage and packing site is located at Nickle Farm on the outskirts of Chartham village, six miles south of Canterbury on the A28

Corporate Social Responsibility

Mansfields seeks to recognise our responsibilities to our suppliers, customers, and staff and the way we impact on our social and physical environment. We have adopted a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy (CSR) to position ourselves as a leading company in the provision of English fruit that meets the very high social and environmental expectations of our customers. Our CSR strategy details our visions, governance, structure and management systems and our key targets and objectives. We have set objectives and targets against our key environmental, social and economic priorities.