This year's East Malling Research Association top fruit storage members' day will see the launch of a new innovation.

The event will take place on March 30 and will see a new commercially tested product, which significantly improves the shelf-life of in-stored top fruit and has now been government approved.

This follows three years of testing of the product "Smartfresh" at East Malling and results of the commercial trials in 2003 will be given by Mark Tulley of Landseer Ltd from Chelmsford, Essex.

Dr Ian Graham-Bryce, chairman of East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research, will outline the future of research at East Malling. Other topics on the agenda include; tree fruit research and development, quality storage for quality fruit and storage and marketing of UK Braeburn and alternative approach to rot control - apples and pears.

The day's programme will also include the presentation of prizes in the "long-term farm stored" competition for dessert and culinary apples and pears.

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