NL: Breeders committed to more sustainable varieties

Despite the sunny and warm weather, the Sint Bavo church in Haarlem, the Netherlands, was full of growers, traders and students during the Flower Science Café. They were told by Dümmen Orange head of R&D Hans van den Heuvel that breeders are more interested in making varieties sustainable than creating new ones. "The number of available pesticides is getting smaller, consumers want less chemicals to be used. That is why we are committed to integrating resistance with new breeding techniques."

Making choices about your assortment is difficult, according to purchasing director Danny van Bergen Henegouwen from FleuraMetz. He explained to the audience that what’s on offer is affected by the changing market and is divided into categories. This makes it easier for customers to choose from the enormous number of varieties. "More and more is being traded online and that requires a different type of marketing. Buyers are in danger of getting lost and that is why we help them with the categories: essentials, surprise, promo, sale and custom." Van Bergen Henegouwen said that with every increase in the number of cultivars, the existing selection should be scrutinized. "Maybe we can also say goodbye to older varieties."

Aad Vernooy from LTO Glaskracht explained the importance of small-scale, unknown crops. The big ones can’t do without the small ones, he argued. "The small crops are the incubators for the big ones. Lisianthus, peony and helianthus started as a small crop, but now they are big players. Small crops play a crucial role in the marketing of flowers. Having a large selection of small crops is an advantage, and all shapes, colors and scents are available. We can’t do without each other."

In the panel discussion that followed, it was stated that the European regulations on breeding and plant protection products are a restriction for breeders and growers. "The competition from the United States is strong and they have fewer restrictions there," according to Van den Hoek. "We are trying to create a level playing field, but if that doesn’t work, the United States and especially Israel will continue to benefit from the genetic modification potential of crops."

Source: Flower Science. Click here for more photos.