The Netherlands
May 22, 2013

In order to secure continued compliance as from 2014 with the requirements placed by third countries regarding cultivation in PCN (Potato Cyst Nematode)-free soil, Naktuinbouw has established the Quality-plus system Select Plant Onions Sets in collaboration with the sector.

In Europe new regulations regarding PCN are expected to come into force from 2014, whereby it will no longer be obligatory to grow onion sets in PCN-free soil.

Guarantees
Many export countries demand that onion sets are grown on PCN-free soil. As from January 2014, this will probably no longer be a statutory requirement, but in many cases it will remain a requirement for exports to countries outside the EU. In the new Quality-plus system Select Plant Onion Sets the receiver of the shipment will be given a guarantee that the onion sets were grown in soil free of PCN. Companies that do not participate in the new Select Plant system must make extra efforts to demonstrate that the onion sets were grown in PCN-free soil.

Transition
2013 is a transitional year during which the new certification system will already be used and the agreements and declarations of the participants will be ratified. This will allow certification to be implemented officially from 2014.

Website: http://www.naktuinbouw.nl

Published: May 22, 2013