Bio-security

Four Crosses Nursery (FCN) has an active bio-security system in place. These measures help protect our environment as well as the economic & social impacts that we would face if harmful pests & diseases were introduced to our site.

 

1. SUPPLY CHAIN

 

Propagation material origin - FCN regularly reviews its supply chain & keeps up to date with the UK risk register & DEFRA legislation. Plants that are known to be high risk Xylella hosts are sourced wherever possible within the UK. The provenance of the starting material is verified.

Propagation facility - We will not source plants from outside the UK unless a nursery visit has been undertaken to check the propagation facility.

Movement of plants - Pre-border plant health inspections are conducted & a phytosanitary certificate is issued for import. Plants are quarantined on arrival and are immediately inspected by us for any signs of pest and diseases whilst awaiting plant health checks by our local DEFRA inspectors. FCN has a procedure in place to report any plant health issues.

FCN has good record keeping. The system for plant production enables complete traceability throughout the production cycle.

 

 

1. PROPAGATION

 

Growing conditions - FCN grows plants in field grown containers, Glasshouses & polytunnels. Plants that are susceptible to air spores are grown allowing space between them for air to circulate. We, where possible separate plant species.

Water management - FCN uses overhead irrigation from its borehole. Plants susceptible to water disease are watered early in the day so that the leaves dry off sooner.

Growing media - FCN uses a peat/bark compost which is stored in a cement compost bin prior to use. The bark is heat treated. We do not use ‘used’ compost.

Pots - FCN mainly uses new pots but recycles ‘used’ pots and these are used to pot plants that are not hosts to diseases such as Xylella.

 

1. NURSERY HUSBANDRY

 

Weed management - FCN has a good weed management system in place. The tunnels, glasshouses and beds are cleared of all plant ‘failures’ & sprayed using a disinfectant before new crops are potted. The groundcover, pipes & structures are also disinfected at this stage.

Plant disposal - Plant ‘failures’ are disposed of away from growing areas.

Surrounding areas - FCN along with our local plant health inspector monitor hedges, trees etc around the nursery for plant health.

Puddles, leaks, floods - Any leaks, floods are dealt with in a timely manner. Containerised plants are grown on a free-draining surface slightly raised above ground level. Our water storage tank is covered & the irrigation system is regularly disinfected.

Fleece, canes, netting - Fleece, canes, netting etc are stored in dry areas when not in use.

Visitors - Visitors to site are directed to the office & use the visitor sign in book.

 

1. PLANT HEALTH KNOWLEDGE

 

FCN was established in 1989, it has been fundamental to our business that we only supply healthy plants. This has been achieved by careful consideration of our suppliers and plant production. We have embraced plant health regulations as we consider that by all working together, we can provide good bio-security and help to protect the introduction & spread of pests through Plant passports, Phytosanitary certificates & keeping up to date with plant health regulations. We carefully consider our production to reduce any potential impacts for the plants we grow, the pests & diseases those plants are susceptible to and the origin of the plants & plant health issues in those areas.

 

All staff are trained regarding pests & diseases, and this is ongoing…