“Dutch seeds to Russia in 2016/17 season as well”

Manager of the Dutch Potato Organisation (NAO) Dick Hylkema concludes a visit to the Russian potato sector today. “Together with representatives of the Agricultural Council, I visited the Russian Potato Union, an association of potato cultivators and importers. We also visited the Ministry of Agriculture, the Russian PD, and the Plant Quarantine Institute, where we were shown the entire research centre.”

Dick Hylkema, centre, at the Russian Ministry of Agriculture

“We thought the start of the season would be a good time to strengthen ties with the Russians. A number of plots in the Noordoostpolder were excluded from seed export, due to the potato sickness discovered there two years ago. Fortunately we were informed by the Russians that we can supply seeds in the 2016/17 season, and that the blockade of the plots from the Noordoostpolder will be raised, on certain conditions,” says Hylkema.

Hylkema looks back on a good visit. “We made contact, and that will make it easier in future to make arrangements. Together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs we managed to remove a hurdle for the export of seeds, by getting access for seeds from Noordoostpolder, although actual arrangements still have to be ratified by the governments.” He does not wish to raise expectations regarding consumption potatoes. “Those fall under the boycott, and that is currently not up for debate.”