Dutch fruit first?

A pillar of the European Union, free movement of goods and people within the European Union, is under pressure. The fruit sector is also affected by it. Was it possible for Herma Lodders, spokesperson for agriculture of the Dutch political party VVD, to raise the problem of ‘own fruit first?’ This comment, plus a list of other homework, was given to Lodders by the fruit growers who had come together for the annual meeting of the NFO. NFO chairman Michiel Gerritsen and Lodders spoke to fruit growers during the meeting.

Lodders promised to do her homework, but considering the outgoing state of the cabinet, a new policy will be controversial in advance. In the meantime, the sector is taking its own steps to guarantee its market position in the future. NFO comes with an industry-wide plan that follows two action lines. One line supports growers and their company, the other line is dedicated to the supply chain. Besides, within the Green Deal, four initiatives are worked on: emission reduction, making sustainability measurable in the supply chain, improving plant health, and eco-label new style. “We want to become a flourishing sector with a healthy image. But something has to be in it for us,” Michiel Gerritsen emphasised. “Some form of appreciation is needed for the growers, money, for example, but it could also be more visibility of Dutch products in shops.”

A profitable management within the fruit cultivation appears to be increasingly more difficult. The fruit sector thinks the government is putting much more restrictions on Dutch growers compared to other European governments. This could further weaken the competitive position of the Netherlands. Especially the increase of insurance tax did not go down very well with the fruit growers. “The government’s money trees,” is how they feel according to one of the growers. Another major problem is the allowance of pesticides to combat Suzuki’s fruit fly. Growers are dying for it now that the cherry harvest has started. Well-working pesticides are already allowed in neighbouring European countries, but not in the Netherlands.

“There’s quite a difference in these fields. We’re assuming a loss of 25 per cent. However, damages can vary per growers. One might have been hardly affected by it, while the other has lost his entire harvest.”

The annual meeting took place at Fruitteeltbedrijf Theo and Martine Venrooy. Theo first held a presentation about the cultivation of cherries, and then gave the group a tour of the company.