“This is not only a bomb among bulb cultivation, but among the entire open cultivation in the Netherlands. A lot of commotion has arisen throughout the agricultural sector.” It is the reaction that Jaap Bond, chairman of the Koninklijke Algemeene Vereeniging voor Bloembollencultuur, has reacted to a judge’s ruling prohibiting a lily grower in Dwingeloo from using plant protection products on multiple plots.
The lily grower says on his own website that he has taken note of the verdict and that he will respect it. “We are amazed at the outcome. We comply with the regulations and will continue to do so.”
“We understand the concerns of the neighborhood. Together with growers, we already invest millions of euros in research into other resources. The use of crop resources has decreased by 90 percent in the past ten to fifteen years. The resources have also changed in the meantime. We use other nozzles, which means there is almost no mist or atomization,” continues Bond.
He calls the ruling a drama for the family business. “The grower can no longer properly practice his profession.” Bond says all the resources he needs to be a good grower are now being taken away from him. It could mean that he could incur more than 1 million euros in damage.
Bond is surprised at the verdict. “The products he (bulb grower, ed.) uses are approved by the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides.” This is an independent institute that assesses whether plant protection products are safe.
The chairman of the union believes that the judge has completely sidelined the college with this ruling. “It is at least two years before such a product comes on the market. It is extensively tested in laboratories. There is an enormous safety margin that it must meet. Only then can such a product be used.” In addition, Bond also points to the “firm control” of it, which the NVWA, among others, does.