The “Zero Pesticide Residue” label continues its development in France

With more than 600 committed producers four years after its birth, the label of the Nouveaux champs Collective has seen its sales increase by 9% in value in 2021 compared to 2020, reaching EUR 53 million. The Collective was initiated in the Fruit & Vegetable sector and is now open to new industries such as frozen fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, juices, pasta, and wines. Thus, it becomes a transversal food label.

The objective is not only to offer “Zero Pesticide Residue” plant species to consumers but also to continue to improve cultivation practices to protect farmers and the environment, which involves a drastic reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides during the cultivation cycle. The IFT (Phytosanitary Treatment Frequency Indicator) has been reduced by 49% on fruits and vegetables in 2021 on the parcels conducted in “Zero Pesticide Residue.” Producers rely on a systemic approach that uses fewer pesticides and deploy innovative practices to control crop pests. This combination of methods is based mainly on prevention and cultural methods (agro-ecology).