April 2009

Janssen PMP (Preservation and Material Protection) a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV in Beerse, Belgium and Bayer CropScience, Monheim, Germany have concluded a multi-year research agreement to develop new post-harvest solutions to protect fruit and vegetable produce against fungal diseases at worldwide level. For this purpose, Bayer CropScience will make fungicidal active ingredients of its current portfolio available for testing. Janssen has long-standing expertise in post-harvest disease control. The Belgian company is already supplying the international fresh fruit trade through distributors with products for the control of post-harvest diseases. In the future, Janssen PMP will propose to the market with the support of Bayer CropScience improved solutions to treat harvested produce so that optimum quality of fruits and vegetables can be provided to consumers.

Fresh fruit and vegetables need to be protected straight after harvest to avoid decay. “The smallest damages of fruits at harvest, during transport and storage provides an opportunity for fungal attack,” explains Geoffroy de Chabot, Sales and Marketing Manager at Janssen PMP. “So this fruit has to be protected immediately using suitable methods to make sure that diseases don't develop and quality is maintained,” he continued. "Innovative and safe solutions are vital to protect healthy fruits and vegetables in an ever increasing demand of these important food commodities all year-round", complements Klaus Kirsch, Product Manager Fungicides at Bayer CropScience.

With its innovative products and solutions Janssen PMP contributes to safeguard yield and quality after harvest and storage. Today, a high volume of crops is still lost to farmers and the food chain after they have been harvested, e.g. due to spoilage. In particular, the production of high-quality fruit and vegetables could be at risk due to pest and disease pressures. Therefore, effective post-harvest treatment plays an important part in increasing productivity and in combating food shortages. Modern crop protection solutions based on innovative active ingredients developed by Janssen PMP and Bayer CropScience can make an important contribution to food quality and thus toward ensuring a healthy nutrition and safeguarding the food supply.

Contact:

Geoffroy de Chabot, phone: +32 (0)14 60 83 25 E-mail: gdchabot@its.jnj.com Joan Jorgensen, phone: +32 (0)14 60 83 25 E-mail: jjorgens@its.jnj.com