With natural enemies, it is not sensible to
mention release rates on the label since the
release rate, number of releases and release
frequency will depend on the crop, time of
the year, region, country, pest pressure and
pest-management strategy. This specific
information is usually provided in the book-
let of user guidelines and through personal
advice from an experienced technical adviser
or scout, who bases his/her advice on obser-
vations in the crop.
Quality assurance by distributors and end-
usersExperience has taught that, for natural ene-
mies as for everything else, the chain is only
as strong as its weakest link. Natural ene-
mies need to be kept under the correct stor-
age conditions until the very last moment.
Several companies have developed informa-
tion leaflets or booklets and even training for
distributors and end-users to ensure optimal
handling of their products. Implementation
of use-by dates prevents distributors from
storing products for too long. Distributors
should be trained to perform quality control
tests. Results from quality tests performed
by distributors or at the facilities of local sub-
sidiaries yield valuable information about
the influence of transportation of natural
enemies and therefore allow appropriate
measures to be taken to improve shipping
conditions, packaging and shipping times.
Another well-known technique is to include
temperature data-loggers in shipments of
natural enemies. These data-loggers give
information that can be used to improve
shipment. Furthermore, the use of tools such
as data-loggers, temperature-sensitive stick-
ers, tip indicators and tilt indicators in or on
transportation boxes ensures that producers
are able to check whether transport compa-
nies are performing shipment under the
agreed conditions.
Suppliers typically advise the end-users
to release the natural enemies immediately
or as soon as possible after delivery. Growers
usually do not have the facilities to store the
products correctly. Further storage at the
grower’s facility only unnecessarily prolongs
the time in transit of the natural enemies.
Finally, the release method may also influ-
ence the product quality. Release cards with
parasitized pupae, for example, need to be
handled with care during introduction in the
greenhouse to avoid damaging the pupae.
Bottles with natural enemies should not be
left in direct sunlight while the grower is
releasing natural enemies.Tracking and tracing techniquesImplementation of tracking and tracing
techniques, such as batch codes, allows the
history of a product to be traced back in case
of complaints or quality testing by end-users
or distributors. The use of batch codes
makes it possible to look for common
sources of quality problems and to deter-
mine whether the cause lies at the produc-
tion/packaging level or in the logistic chain
when several complaints from different
sources reach the producer.Certification
Consumers and supermarkets nowadays
demand farmers to certify their produce (see
earlier in this chapter). As a result, farmers
increasingly request their suppliers to certify
the quality of their products, including
products from the biocontrol industry.
Voluntary quality-certification programmes,
such as the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 9000 or European
Federation for Quality Management
(EPQM), offer a framework to clearly estab-
lish and describe all processes within a com-
pany in written standard operating
procedures and protocols. Certification
might reduce the chance for errors and mis-
takes through strict procedures, but, without
adequate production installations, reliable
production techniques and experienced and
skilled personnel, it will not necessarily
guarantee high-quality products. On the
other hand, excellent installations, tech-
niques and people without a streamlined
organization and procedures will not result
in a reliable output of high-quality products.222 K.J.F. Bolckmans