"Now the neighbours are laughing, but others will follow my lead"

Last April, the company Escobar Reyes, based in Almeria, in southern Spain, received the Milieukeur (Eco-label) certification for its peppers, chili peppers and tomatoes. This makes Escobar Reyes, with its grower Hortalizas Malvasia S.L., the first Spanish company to produce these products under the Milieukeur requirements. When asked about what the experience has been like, growing expert Herminia López is very clear: "At first it seemed impossible; it is difficult for producers to change their mentality and methods, but that is essential for the Milieukeur. It really goes beyond the requirements of other certifications, especially when it comes to residues on the final product, or the ability to properly trace the origin of the product. It has a big impact on the production process and, therefore, adjustments must be made. Growers must consequently trust in the advice they are given. Daily communication with our growers is important."

Owner Bartolomé Escobar Reyes S.L. and technical adviser Hermina Fernández

As examples of adjustments made, Herminia mentions the choice of a number of different active substances for plant protection and the construction of a biodiversity-friendly area on the farm. Grower and owner Bartolomé Escobar Reyes proudly shows the green strip between two greenhouses, where native plants grow luxuriously and provide protection against natural enemies, including thrips and whitefly. It is a small green oasis in the middle of a plastic desert in this southern Spanish fruit production region. When asked what their neighbours think of this, he replies laughingly that some have yet to get used to it and still laugh at him, but he is convinced that it is only a matter of time before others will follow.

Natural vegetation to protect biodiversity

Source: SMK