One of the requirements of the MPS-ABC certification standard is for growers to have a full IPM plan. However, it appears that many growers have difficulty ensuring that they have a compliant IPM plan at the ready, which often results in them falling short at audit time. To prevent this problem arising in the future, we have recently been focusing on improving our support with respect to this, and on simplifying the process of filling in the IPM plan. We have taken a number of steps towards this, and the following is an explanation of the specific changes that have been made.
Step-by-step guide for growers
In order to support growers in comprehending and filling in the IPM plan, we have created a guide that clearly explains each part of the IPM plan. It also contains more information about what the IPM plan is, and why it is an important part of your MPS-ABC record-keeping. You can find the guide here.
Integration in the record-keeping environment
The IPM plan is now also integrated in the record-keeping environment, making it more accessible for growers. This integration also makes it clearer that filling in the IPM plan is part of the record-keeping process and the certification requirements. Users can find the IPM plan on the company dashboard under the ‘IPM plan’ tile. The plan can be downloaded here, and there is a link to more information. Once the plan is filled in, it can also be uploaded here.
Sample document
To simplify matters, we have developed a sample IPM plan document. This document is based on a fictional company and can serve as a starting point for filling in the IPM plan completely and correctly. Please note that no rights can be derived from this sample document – it is solely intended as an example. You can find the sample document here.
We trust that our efforts to clarify the IPM plan will support you in making your own IPM plan. It goes without saying that we also welcome your feedback. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact our Service & Support department at info@my-mps.com or +31 174 – 615 715.
Over 30 years ago, my journey at MPS began after I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. After the birth of my daughter, I was looking to return to work and joined the data entry department. At the time, all data was still entered manually from paper forms. Since then, I have seen the organisation grow and change, and I have grown along with it.Today, I work in the Service & Support department. No two days are the same: one day I help a customer with questions about record-keeping, the next I help them understand requirements from the auction or the UO. It is precisely this variety and the personal contact with customers that make my work interesting every day.
In 2008, I joined MPS through a recruitment agency as a secretary. I then held various positions within MPS and MPS-ECAS, including roles in the Service & Support team and as a planner. In 2018, I left the organisation for a while, but in 2023 I returned to MPS-ECAS as a back-office employee. The people are simply too much fun and the world of ornamental horticulture is so innovative that it kept drawing me back. Shortly afterwards, I started working at MPS as Coordinator Netherlands.
During the final year of my Environmental Sciences degree, I joined MPS for an internship. The internship worked out so well for both sides that I was able to stay afterwards. It felt like a natural next step, because I immediately felt at home here and was given the opportunity to continue developing myself.My work is very varied. I work on different projects and products, carry out research and analyses and contribute to practical solutions. I also manage various systems, support customers with complex technical questions and work with external parties. It is precisely this combination that makes my work interesting and ensures that no two weeks are the same.
I first joined MPS through a friend who worked in MPS’s student team. I continued working here while studying Commercial Economics, and at the end of my studies, in 2004, MPS asked if I wanted to join the organisation permanently. It seemed like a great opportunity, and more than twenty years later, I am still here.No two days are the same, and that is exactly what makes my work so enjoyable. A large part of my week consists of project meetings and translating needs from within the organisation into practical solutions. Thursday afternoon is a regular fixture, which I set aside with a colleague to make MPS 1% better every week. For example, we experiment with AI, build prototypes, improve processes or develop new ideas. The goal is always to work smarter and create more value for colleagues, customers and the organisation.