'Good contact with European policymakers important for legislation and regulation' : Public Affairs
July 26, 2024
The Public Affairs department represents the interests of Royal FloraHolland, its members and the floriculture sector in society, the media and politics.
Networking and maintaining contacts is the core of Public Affairs. We need to know where decisions are made in order to feed and steer the process with expertise. Of course in the interest of Royal FloraHolland, the members or the sector. The European network is increasingly important to us. Many laws and regulations in the Netherlands come from European regulations. Legislation is often implemented directly or with some adjustments here. After the European elections, pro-European lots got a large majority in the European Parliament. This means that the importance of Europe will only increase.
Good contacts with European policy makers are therefore important. Royal FloraHolland has its own lobbyist in Brussels. She follows developments, often together with other horticulture lobbyists, and tries to adjust where necessary. So the sector is in Brussels, but Brussels is less often in the Netherlands. Except last July 17, when we had a great opportunity to speak with an important team from the European Commission at Royal FloraHolland. Together with the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Food Security and Nature (LVVN), we welcomed the new head of the 'Plant Health' department, Sylvain Giraud. This European Commission deals with plant diseases and pests. His department prepares the regulations concerning Q organisms (Quarantine organisms, classified in Europe as very harmful and at risk of infection) and invasive exotic species. He is also responsible for regulations and actions to be taken in the event of a Q organism outbreak.
During the tour, the greatness of our international logistics process became immediately apparent. There are many starting points to talk about the importance of plant health in the large import and export flows of flowers and plants. Suppose there is an outbreak of a Q organism somewhere at a production site nearby? Then it is essential to make further agreements on measures such as with regard to transporters. Safety always comes first, but we also want to prevent an 'over-reaction' and the trade in flowers and plants coming to a complete standstill. Talking about this with these contacts is extremely important. Both in Europe and in the Netherlands, with the NVWA and the Ministry of LVVN, which are responsible for implementing and enforcing the measures. Besides Royal FloraHolland, the delegation visited nursery HilverdaFlorist and breeder, improver, cross-breeder Rijk Zwaan. We also spoke briefly about Xylella and Brexit. Glad we had the time together!
Do you have questions or would like more information on this topic? Please email publicaffairs@royalfloraholland.com.
Networking and maintaining contacts is the core of Public Affairs. We need to know where decisions are made in order to feed and steer the process with expertise. Of course in the interest of Royal FloraHolland, the members or the sector. The European network is increasingly important to us. Many laws and regulations in the Netherlands come from European regulations. Legislation is often implemented directly or with some adjustments here. After the European elections, pro-European lots got a large majority in the European Parliament. This means that the importance of Europe will only increase.
Good contacts with European policy makers are therefore important. Royal FloraHolland has its own lobbyist in Brussels. She follows developments, often together with other horticulture lobbyists, and tries to adjust where necessary. So the sector is in Brussels, but Brussels is less often in the Netherlands. Except last July 17, when we had a great opportunity to speak with an important team from the European Commission at Royal FloraHolland. Together with the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Food Security and Nature (LVVN), we welcomed the new head of the 'Plant Health' department, Sylvain Giraud. This European Commission deals with plant diseases and pests. His department prepares the regulations concerning Q organisms (Quarantine organisms, classified in Europe as very harmful and at risk of infection) and invasive exotic species. He is also responsible for regulations and actions to be taken in the event of a Q organism outbreak.
During the tour, the greatness of our international logistics process became immediately apparent. There are many starting points to talk about the importance of plant health in the large import and export flows of flowers and plants. Suppose there is an outbreak of a Q organism somewhere at a production site nearby? Then it is essential to make further agreements on measures such as with regard to transporters. Safety always comes first, but we also want to prevent an 'over-reaction' and the trade in flowers and plants coming to a complete standstill. Talking about this with these contacts is extremely important. Both in Europe and in the Netherlands, with the NVWA and the Ministry of LVVN, which are responsible for implementing and enforcing the measures. Besides Royal FloraHolland, the delegation visited nursery HilverdaFlorist and breeder, improver, cross-breeder Rijk Zwaan. We also spoke briefly about Xylella and Brexit. Glad we had the time together!
Do you have questions or would like more information on this topic? Please email publicaffairs@royalfloraholland.com.
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