REGULATIONS ON PESTICIDES AND REQUIREMENTS OF SUPERMARKETS DIRECT US TO A FOOD SAFE PRODUCTION OF GREENHOUSE VEGETABLES

The use of chemicals for the greenhouse has decreased substantially the last 20 years.
Since the introduction of growing on rockwool we have less problems with fungi diseases like mildew and botrytis.
Also the problems with root diseases are less, because of a better control of the root environment, so the use of fungicides decreased to a minimum.
Pests are controlled by biological control.
Chemicals are only used in a very small amount.
The policy of the government is to reduce the amount of chemicals substantially.
For vegetables grown in greenhouses, this must be made possible.
A lot of chemicals have been taken out of the market.
On one side some chemicals are harmful for the environment, so they are taken out of the market.
On the other side the rules for admittance of new chemicals are so strict, it is not possible for chemical companies to start the procedure for registration.
Especially because the use of chemicals will be reduced more and more, this will continue to be difficult.
For this reason an European admittance policy is very important.
The number of available chemicals will increase and the use of chemicals will decrease, because we can use effective chemicals.
Two years ago the European supermarkets introduced Eurep/Gap (Euro-Retailer Produce/Good Agricultural Practice). The intention of the supermarkets is to buy and sell only fresh foods with a Eurep/Gap certification.
At the moment a couple of growers are certificated for this new standard.
For the Dutch growers it must be not a big problem to meet this standard, especially it demands more registration.
It is an extension of the MBT (Environmental Friendly Cultivation) standard.
In a couple of years the MBT standard will be replaced by the Eurep/Gap standard.
At the moment we grow a product with a minimum of chemicals.
But as a lot of things, the last step is the most difficult one.
With the regulations of the government and the requirements of the supermarkets, the use of chemicals will be decreased more.
But even now the products we grow are safe.
The researches to do before at a new chemical get admittance to the market are so strict, that if we use the chemicals as directed, a food safe product can be guaranteed.
For pests a 100% biological control is possible.
But economically a combination of biological control with chemicals is better.
For root diseases and fungi there are still less alternatives for chemicals, but here also the development of biological solutions is going fast.