Dalgety's technical excellence recognised with certificate

Continuing technical excellence at Dalgety's Throws Farm Arable Development Centre has been recognised with the award of a top-level certificate from the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD).

The 'Certificate of Official Recognition of Efficacy Testing Facilities or Organisations' (ORETO) is essential for testing and trialling crop protection products. Since January 1998 , efficacy data from UK trials is only accepted by PSD if it has been carried out at an ORETO-accredited site. Throws gained its first certificate in 1998 and, following a recent re-inspection, the certificate has been extended until 2008.

"Significantly, the ORETO certificate enables us to carry out very precise, scientific trials for the major agrochemical manufacturers," says Dr David Newton, trials manager for Dalgety. "Much of the data subsequently generated is used to support new product registrations in the UK.

"That level of expertise also extends to our far-reaching 'routine' trials programme, so all our agronomy is based on the most rigorous scientific discipline. It's those results which are constantly fed back to our customers," he says.

Dr Newton points out that Masstock's recent acquisition of the Dalgety business has widened the group's remit considerably, underlining the need for excellence.

"Being awarded ORETO accreditation for the second time really demonstrates Dalgety's strong R&D position within the Masstock Group," he says. "Our continued investment into researching varieties, nutrition and crop protection solutions sets an important standard."