Market gardeners launch 'Zero Pesticide' label

Market gardeners and fruit producers have launched a 'Zero Pesticide Residue' label that guarantees fruit and veg has no more than 0.01mg of pesticides per kilogramme.

Under the scheme, fruit and vegetables that meet controlled and independently verified criteria will be able to display the round 'zéro résidu de pesticides' logo that has been developed by the "Nouveaux Champs" group of seven major market gardeners - Blue Whale apples, based in Montauban, Oceane (tomatoes, cucumbers, lamb's lettuce, leeks) in the Nantes region, Pomme Alliance (potatoes) based in Orly, Larrère (carrots) in the Landes, Fruits et Compagnie in the Gard and Lindor (apples) in the Limousin.

Unlike 'bio' products, mineral fertilisers and bio-control products are permitted under the label, as is the cultivation of crops using methods banned in organic farming - but all synthetic pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate and bee-killing neonicotinoid products, are banned.