Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Pipfruit chemical project hailed

Updated at 6:46 am on 29 July 2010

Apple and pear growers say a three year project to reduce chemical residues in their fruit has been an outstanding success.

The $2.5 million project funded by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and Pipfruit New Zealand has just finished.

More than two-thirds of pipfruit growers joined the scheme, committing themselves to reducing the use of chemicals.

Project chairman Julian Raine told a Pipfruit New Zealand conference in Nelson, that growers are producing good quality export-grade fruit with residue levels at less than 10% of the maximum levels allowed in Britain and Europe.

He says it is impossible to achieve a zero chemical residue, but New Zealand's standards will help its fruit maintain a premium position in overseas markets.

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