'Together you are stronger' certainly also applies to cooperation in the Greenports; Public Affairs Update
September 30, 2024
The Public Affairs department represents the interests of Royal FloraHolland, its members and the floriculture sector in society, the media and politics.
To achieve results on the issues that are important to you and to us, collaborating is a prerequisite. No single organization in our sector has all the expertise or capacity in house or all the right contacts with politicians and policy-makers. Together we are stronger' certainly also applies to cooperation in the Greenports. These have a unique composition of companies, municipalities, education and knowledge institutes that are committed to a sustainable horticultural sector, both regionally and nationally.
Last week we sat down with this diverse group to reflect on the coalition program and the Schoof administration's Budget Memorandum. You have already read a lot about this in the media and trade magazines. It was valuable to hear and discuss the insights at first hand.
Together with the VGB we reflected on the challenges for trade. What does this cabinet think about floriculture and our great export position? How will the announced government cutbacks affect agencies so important to us such as the NVWA and the embassies and agriculture councils in major export countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia? The VGB is our partner in lobbying for the preservation of the low VAT rate. Whether we are safe is far from certain. The cabinet is always tracing money to cover the existing and expected holes in the budget.
GroentenFruithuis emphasized the importance of an open market. Inside and outside Europe. After all, consumers want to see the full choice of fruit and vegetables in stores all year round. Food security, a full assortment and the positive health effects of a more plant-based diet are strong arguments for them in lobbying for an open market. Using the floriculture sector as an example, this sector is also working on a sector-specific and European-approved measurement method for environmental impact (PEFCR).
From Wageningen University, the impact on higher education and science was discussed. It is gratifying that the coalition program states that “the greenhouse horticulture sector with high-tech production is of great importance to the Dutch economy and food security, worldwide”. At the same time there is a cutback of 1 billion, various funds are no longer accessible and subsidies are being reduced. The word innovation appears 85x in the coalition program, but how do you flesh it out when there is much less money for research?
Finally, it was indicated by the delegate of the province of North Holland that there has been a request from all provinces to the Minister of LVVN not to shut down the National Rural Program. Much time and effort has been put by the provinces into making area plans that should lead to an improvement in the quality of water, soil and nature in the rural area. Curious to see how this turns out!
Opportunities also came up in the discussion. The government has a pragmatic approach and wants to coordinate policies with practice. For further commitment to sustainability, they draw inspiration from the dialogue with entrepeneurs. The concluded energy covenant remains leading for the ambitions of glasshouse horticulture. The government wants to get rid of national headings on European policies. That gives room in some areas, but it will still be hard work for you and for us to meet all upcoming obligations.
Do you have questions or would you like more information on this topic? Then email publicaffairs@royalfloraholland.com.
To achieve results on the issues that are important to you and to us, collaborating is a prerequisite. No single organization in our sector has all the expertise or capacity in house or all the right contacts with politicians and policy-makers. Together we are stronger' certainly also applies to cooperation in the Greenports. These have a unique composition of companies, municipalities, education and knowledge institutes that are committed to a sustainable horticultural sector, both regionally and nationally.
Last week we sat down with this diverse group to reflect on the coalition program and the Schoof administration's Budget Memorandum. You have already read a lot about this in the media and trade magazines. It was valuable to hear and discuss the insights at first hand.
Together with the VGB we reflected on the challenges for trade. What does this cabinet think about floriculture and our great export position? How will the announced government cutbacks affect agencies so important to us such as the NVWA and the embassies and agriculture councils in major export countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia? The VGB is our partner in lobbying for the preservation of the low VAT rate. Whether we are safe is far from certain. The cabinet is always tracing money to cover the existing and expected holes in the budget.
GroentenFruithuis emphasized the importance of an open market. Inside and outside Europe. After all, consumers want to see the full choice of fruit and vegetables in stores all year round. Food security, a full assortment and the positive health effects of a more plant-based diet are strong arguments for them in lobbying for an open market. Using the floriculture sector as an example, this sector is also working on a sector-specific and European-approved measurement method for environmental impact (PEFCR).
From Wageningen University, the impact on higher education and science was discussed. It is gratifying that the coalition program states that “the greenhouse horticulture sector with high-tech production is of great importance to the Dutch economy and food security, worldwide”. At the same time there is a cutback of 1 billion, various funds are no longer accessible and subsidies are being reduced. The word innovation appears 85x in the coalition program, but how do you flesh it out when there is much less money for research?
Finally, it was indicated by the delegate of the province of North Holland that there has been a request from all provinces to the Minister of LVVN not to shut down the National Rural Program. Much time and effort has been put by the provinces into making area plans that should lead to an improvement in the quality of water, soil and nature in the rural area. Curious to see how this turns out!
Opportunities also came up in the discussion. The government has a pragmatic approach and wants to coordinate policies with practice. For further commitment to sustainability, they draw inspiration from the dialogue with entrepeneurs. The concluded energy covenant remains leading for the ambitions of glasshouse horticulture. The government wants to get rid of national headings on European policies. That gives room in some areas, but it will still be hard work for you and for us to meet all upcoming obligations.
Do you have questions or would you like more information on this topic? Then email publicaffairs@royalfloraholland.com.
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