The Dutch Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Minister Wiersma, has presented the House of Representatives with a comprehensive list of crop protection issues currently facing the agricultural sector. These issues have been identified by various stakeholders within the sector, who have committed to working collaboratively to develop solutions, with the support of the government.
To address these challenges, the government has introduced several initiatives. Businesses are encouraged to apply for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, which will enable them to conduct practical research into alternative crop protection methods. This initiative aims to foster innovation and find sustainable solutions to protect crops from pests and diseases.
Additionally, the Small Applications Fund has been established to provide financial support for obtaining approvals of crop protection products for minor crops. This fund will help ensure that farmers have access to the necessary tools to protect their crops, even for those that are less commonly grown.
In urgent situations, the sector also has the option to apply for exemptions to use non-approved crop protection products. This flexibility is crucial to allow farmers to respond quickly to emerging threats and protect their livelihoods.
The list of issues provided by Minister Wiersma includes viruses in bulb cultivation and aphids in lettuce cultivation, among others.
