Update inspections Dutch flowers at Russian border
Dutch flowers passing Russian border, for the time being
Picture on the left: ttm.nl
Director of the VGB (Association of Wholesalers in Horticultural Products) Robert Roodenburg did not receive any announcements regarding large jams at the Russian border. "However, this should not give us hope or create fear," he says. "Everything that was bought this morning is still underway. It is more than a 12 hour drive till you reach the first Russian border. So, later today, we will probably know more."
Yesterday, Laurems Golbach of RUGO Logistics BV, a carrier from Denmark that transports a lot to Eastern Europe and Russia, told the Dutch Radio that four of his trucks were waiting at the border. "Luckily they passed the border today," says Golbach, "which is good news." However, he does not know how others are dealing with this issue. "I heard that one of our carriers adjusted his route. He is now trying to pass the border in Saint-Petersburg. However if this will make a difference, I do not know.
Chrysanthemums
Especially, the Dutch chrysanthemum growers are concerned. "The end of August is a peak time for us, because many children give a flower to their teacher on their first day at school," says chrysanthemum grower Johan Booster.
"If many loads are rejected, the price will decrease drastically," reports chrysanthemum grower Laurens van de Lans to the Dutch newspaper, the Telegraaf. "And due to the devaluation of the rouble, the price for the Russians has increased by 40%," says chrysanthemum grower Arjen van der Voort in the AD.
Also transit flowers inspected
Caterina Eveleens of IP Handlers explains that the transit flowers are also being inspected. "We ship flowers from countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya etcetera to the Netherlands. Then they are being transported by trucks to Russia by a Russian carrier. Even though we supply transit documents, the trucks are being inspected. As a consequence, our clients also have to wait a little longer," she says.
Political game?
Many growers think this measurement is a political game. However, Gerben Messeling, Researcher at the Wageningen UR explains the presence of thrips to the Dutch medium NOS. "This animal can damage the crop. They damage the upper layer of the leaf, which causes brown spots. Moreover, they can pass on viruses."
A probable solution could be broadening the regulation regarding the use of crop protection products. LTO and VGB are going to discuss this matter with the Ministry. However, Messeling do not think this is a good idea "two wrongs do not make a right". According to Messeling they should look for "a combination of biological products and selective crop protection products to combat thrips. However, the search for this solution is still in its infancy."
