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"At Axia Vegetable Seeds, the current focus lies on breeding ToBRV-resistant varieties. They incorporate resistance to this virus through backcrossing in existing strains. Colin says, 'We're making great strides, and the first results can be seen in our demo greenhouse. Strict hygiene guidelines are crucial here, and Royal Brinkman advises us on the entire hygiene protocol. We must keep pathogens out!'

Dirk Timmers, hygiene and disinfection specialist at Royal Brinkman, emphasizes: “Hygiene starts at the front door. How do you ensure that people do not bring germs inside unnoticed? At Axia in Naaldwijk, all persons at the entrance first pass through a hygiene station where hands and shoes are disinfected. Access is extremely strict; the turnstile only opens after hands have been sprayed with Fadex Rapid. Then, individuals walk over rotating brushes, simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting footwear with Menno Florades.”

Individuals follow a fixed route before entering the greenhouse department. All employees and visitors are required to pass through the changing room. Employees put on their work clothing, while visitors wear guest attire. Any items brought from outside remain inside the changing room. Items from outside that must enter the facility are disinfected using UV-C light. The work clothing stays on-site and is laundered on-site. The hygiene protocol continues with hand washing at the sinks. Thoroughly cleaning hands with Fadex Rapid helps prevent the spread of pathogens.

Dirk Timmers explains: "The walking paths in the facility are clearly marked. This ensures that employees also pass by the sinks to wash their hands again after their coffee break. Employees wear disposable gloves during their tasks in the greenhouse. Dispensers with Fadex Rapid are located at each department in the central corridor. Upon entering each greenhouse section, hands must be sprayed again! This helps prevent any potential contamination and spread from one section to another."

Axia Vegetable Seeds utilizes Menno Hortisept Clean Plus and Menno Florades for cleaning and disinfecting materials. Menno Hortisept Clean Plus is a powerful cleaner that easily removes stubborn dirt, which can then be rinsed off with water. Following this, Menno Florades ensures 100% disinfection, available for spraying or foaming. Using tools like a foam lance allows for foaming application of Menno Florades. The advantage of foam is its more effective action, ensuring thorough coverage and longer contact time. For disinfecting greenhouse sections during crop rotation, Menno Florades foam is applied. Foam provides clear visibility to ensure thorough coverage and effective disinfection, along with extended contact time. At the end of each workday, knives and scissors used during daily tasks are immersed in a Menno Florades solution, with no exchange between departments.

"Viruses can also enter through deliveries of materials from outside. These incoming goods pose a potential risk of contamination, Colin says. 'That's why we don't accept Euro pallets here. All deliveries are stacked and disinfected with Menno Florades before being brought inside. This prevents viruses from entering through goods, boxes, pallets, cans, and other packaging materials.'"

Business manager Colin Verbeek, Axia Vegetable Seeds

"At Axia Vegetable Seeds, hygiene is a top priority. Colin Verbeek says, 'We've done everything possible to minimize the risks of virus transmission. Ultimately, our goal is to provide healthy seeds to our customers, tomato growers worldwide. Royal Brinkman advises us on the entire hygiene protocol. Menno's products are effective cleaners and disinfectants that don't damage materials. Together, we've achieved an optimal level of hygiene for our company!'"

  

  

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