How do we protect our crops and our sector's image?

Willem-Jan: "Negative stories about poisonous bouquets appeared in the media around Mother's Day. Words like 'pesticide' or 'agricultural poison' were used to describe pest and disease control products. The media linked insecurity for nature with insecurity for people. In fact, the use of the most environmentally damaging crop protection products in cut flowers has fallen by almost 80% globally over the last decade. Agents have also become more biodegradable, which is good for the environment. However, many people still have a lack of knowledge about crop protection products. For example, environmental organisations should be aware of how the authorisation system works. We have reviewed many of their surveys and are discussing gaps in them. Environmental organisations frame their message very strongly. As a result, they do not tell the whole story and distort the truth. That is why we proactively share crop protection information, backed up by hard data and real grower experience.

At the table, not on it
‍Royal FloraHolland's lobbying together with Glastuinbouw Nederland is important, argues Willem-Jan. He maintains offices in The Hague, close to the House of Representatives and ministries. His Royal FloraHolland colleague is also active in lobbying the EU in Brussels. "If we did not represent the knowledge of floriculture and the interests of our sector, you would not be at the table, you would be on it. Before you know it, decisions are being made based on inaccurate information that will harm us. Information that could even threaten the survival of the industry. We must therefore continuously tell officials, members of parliament and ministers what we are doing. And how important flowers and plants are for biodiversity, the health and well-being of people and for our economy."

Whatever Willem-Jan says: crop protection is necessary no matter how you look at it. "To keep crops healthy and to offer consumers the best quality flowers and plants." Dutch growers of potted plants have reduced the use of the most environmentally damaging products by 96% since 2015. For cut flowers, the figure is 88%. This is according to recent figures from MPS. Amongst flower growers, 95% use biological control agents such as predatory mites and parasitic wasps, the natural enemies of many pests. Willem-Jan: "Flower growers want to use even more biological agents, but it takes a very long time before such agents are allowed on the market. I also point that out to the parties in The Hague. We want to move faster, but we have to be permitted to do so."

Image protection, communication and lobbying are joint responsibilities for all sector parties such as Royal FloraHolland, Glastuinbouw Nederland, BBH and others, believes Willem-Jan. "But," he says, "there is also a responsibility on growers. Behaviour and facts are necessary to tell our story. To provide the best quality flowers and plants, growers protect their crops from disease and pests. More and more, they are betting on greener solutions. For example, the ambition of leading Dutch growers is to use virtually no chemicals from 2030. The floriculture sector is fully committed to innovation and sustainability. We need to tell that story".

Grower Gijsbert Verboom (Gerbera United) agrees. That is why he participates in ‘Green Power Forward’, the chain-wide campaign that promotes the innovative power and added value of greenhouse horticulture. "Sustainability, and especially sustainable crop protection, is a spearhead for our industry. We all want in on that. No grower uses chemical crop protection products for fun. Less chemistry or an alternative is better for the environment. It's also expected of us. Otherwise, we're going to be selling fewer and fewer flowers."

‍Throw open the greenhouses!
‍Gerbera United, for example, works with banker plants that provide a habitat for predatory mites and parasitic wasps, the natural enemies of many pests. This keeps several pests under control and reduces the need to use chemical crop protection products. "We need to show that kind of thing more," Gijsbert believes. "Throw open the greenhouses, be transparent. Invite customers and the community as during Kom in de Kas, for example. Show what you do and why."

"In addition, we need to keep connecting with each other on our common challenges. We need to share examples of good initiatives. We can do this through the Members' Newspaper and other Royal FloraHolland channels. It is particularly important that people outside our sector hear about great examples. Through industry communications and media outreach, we can reach a wider audience and make them aware of our efforts. In this way, the message reaches more and more consumers, giving them a better and more nuanced picture of floriculture and greenhouse horticulture. We must make this effort together for the sake of our beautiful and important sector for the Netherlands!