Fresh Produce Standards
WATER CRESS Version 5.1
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Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)
Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification
New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to
Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before
Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard
Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.
Cropping Categories Fresh Produce
Category 0 - Those you can eat raw and have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination
Category 1 - Those you can eat raw and which do not have a protective skin that is removed before eating; they may also have a significant risk or history of pathogen contamination.
Category 2 - Those you can eat raw and which either have protective skin or grow clear of the ground, or that have no history of pathogen contamination.
Category 3 - Those that the customer always cooks.
An up-to-date list of the crop categories can be found on the Red Tractor website.
PR.WC.1
Site Risk Assessments (RA.6) for watercress producers must consider additional, crop specific risks. Preventive actions or mitigation steps are documented where relevant.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.1.a
PR.WC.1.b
Site Risk Assessment(s)
PR.WC.2
Measures are in place to manage risks to crop from livestock and wildlife.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.2.a
PR.WC.2.b
PR.WC.3
Measures must be in place to reduce the risk of liver fluke entering the crop.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.3.a
PR.WC.4
Where there is a risk of leakage from foul drains contaminating the crop, drains under the grower's control must be tested annually for leaks, and immediately if a leak is suspected.
PR.WC.5
Where there is evidence that surface water (run-off from surrounding land or flooding from watercourses) or livestock / wildlife have entered the crop and pose a risk to food safety, follow up actions are implemented and recorded.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.5.a
PR.WC.5.b
PR.WC.5.c
- Incident records and remedial actions
– Training programme
PR.WC.6
Additional, watercress specific controls are in place to manage water quality in production beds.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.6.a
PR.WC.6.b
PR.WC.6.c
PR.WC.6.d
PR.WC.6.e
PR.WC.6.f
- Maps of water source/distribution system
– Water test results
– Trending of test results
– Records of investigations
PR.WC.7
The water in production beds must be flowing.
PR.WC.8
Members hold a valid Environmental Permit where required for discharge of water from watercress beds.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.8.a
PR.WC.8.b
Environmental Permit
PR.WC.9
Bought-in propagation material is produced in accordance with the principles of Good Agricultural Practice.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.9.a
Certificate/declaration for bought-in propagation material
PR.WC.10
Seed must be stored in such a way as to prevent contamination by insects and other animals. Seed must be inspected before use and any damaged seed must not be used.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.10.a
Records of seed inspection
PR.WC.11
Traceability systems allow for retrospective traceability of all seeds, seedlings and cuttings.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.11.a
PR.WC.11.b
Traceability records
PR.WC.12
The source of each batch of substrate material must be known and recorded. Any treatments must be recorded.
- Substrate traceability records
– Records of substrate treatment
PR.WC.13
Each batch of substrate material used for propagation must be verified as free from pathogens.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.13.a
Substrate test results of certificate of conformity
PR.WC.14
Bed substrate must be stored in a manner that prevents contamination.
PR.WC.15
Fertilisers containing organic materials must have undergone suitable treatment and meet required criteria.
How you will be measured
PR.WC.15.a
- Method of treatment
– Test result or certificate of compliance from producer
More Standards
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual
Download Fresh Produce Standards Manual – Including GLOBALG.A.P Module
Download the changes to the Fresh Produce Standards from 1 February 2025
Download watercress protocol
Download hops protocol
Useful Documents
UK Crops grown and risk categories
Fresh Produce assessment structure
