Farmers who meet the guidelines developed for 

 their region are eligible to use the regional or na- 

 tional IFP label (Figure 1). Currently, 35% of the 

 pome fruit in western Europe is grown according to 

 IFP or Quality Assurance (a related program) guide- 

 lines (Table 1), but participation in IFP varies widely 

 among countries. Germany has 14 regional IFP or- 

 ganizations, certifying 79% of its apple crop, while 

 France has one small organization, certifying less 

 than 1% of its crop. In some regions (e.g., Switzer- 

 land, Germany, and Emilia Romagna, Italy) gov- 

 ernment or Europe Union grants provided incen- 

 tives for IFP, thus influencing participation. 



Cross' survey indicated differences among the 

 various regional IFP guidelines, including depar- 

 tures from the established guidelines of the lOBC. 

 Significant departures from the Euro-guidelines 

 included postharvest treatment with antioxidants 

 for scald by five regions, the use of residual herbi- 

 cides in established orchards bytwenty regions, the 

 use of synthetic growth regulators in four regions, 

 and the use of a soil sterilant against nematodes in 

 one country. It was noted that most countries do 

 not seek endorsement from the lOBC, so these de- 

 partures from lOBC guidelines do not carry any 

 penalty. 



A number of countries reported receiving price 

 premiums for IFP-grown fruit. Premiums varied 

 regionally. Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy re- 

 ported price premiums of approximately seven cents 



per pound, while Austria reported a premium up to 

 44 cents per pound. Premiums varied throughout 

 the season and often were not sustained. Other 

 regions received no premiums but noted a market 

 preference for IFP-produced fruit. 



Research and status reports from all countries 

 generally were positive about the growth and ac- 

 complishments of the IFP program. Participation 

 in the program has grown 40% since 1991. South 

 Africa has developed IFP guidelines, and programs 

 are under development in New Zealand, Australia, 

 and Argentina. In the United States, Stemilt Grow- 

 ers of Wenatchee, Washington have implemented a 

 program with the same aims as IFP, and market 

 their fruit under the label, "Growers for Respon- 

 sible Choice." 



A number of scientists observed that IFP-en- 

 dorsement served as an incentive to growers, re- 

 sulting in improvement of horticultural and pest 

 management practices. lOBC is now working on 

 developing IFP guidelines for stone fruit (peaches 

 and cherries) and soft fruit (berries). 



Acknowledgements 



I thank J.V. Cross, Scientific Secretary of lOBC/ 

 ISHS, for providing a copy of his presentation. The 

 complete report will be published in the proceed- 

 ings of the conference. B. Borsari, of Forli, Italy, 

 also contributed useful information. 



Fruit Notes, Fall, 1995 



15 



