The colorful fields of flower bulb cultivation are a beautiful sight in spring. In addition, flower bulb cultivation and especially the tulip is an icon of our Dutch culture. The cultivation of flower bulbs also raises questions, for example about the use of crop protection products. As your neighbours, we would like to inform you about what we do, why we do it, and how we take you into account. In this flyer we want to answer a number of questions. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact us using the contact details on the back of this flyer.

What does a bulb grower do?

Bulb growers are committed to the cultivation of high-quality bulbs on a daily basis. This work goes hand in hand with care for the environment, innovation and an eye for quality.

From bulb to flower:

•Preparation: The soil is prepared and the bulbs are planted. This takes place in the autumn (e.g. tulip, daffodil, hyacinth) or in the spring (e.g. lily, gladiolus, zantedeschia).

•Care: During the season, the crops are cared for, fertilized, irrigated and protected against diseases and pests, any crop protection products are applied.

•Harvest: In the summer/autumn (depending on the crop), the bulbs are harvested, cleaned and prepared for sale, export or prepared to flower. Some of the bulbs are kept for replanting.

Frequently asked questions from local residents

Diseases and pests, such as fungi, insects or plant viruses, can seriously damage or even destroy crops. To prevent this, the crops are strengthened by healthy soil, good nutrition, sufficient water and care. If this is not enough, crop protection products are used. These products are usually developed for larger crops such as vegetables and grains. If they are safe and effective for bulbous crops, they will be approved for flower bulbs. In this way, we ensure a responsible and controlled use of resources.

Hereby:

•We protect the quality of the crops and bulbs;

•We minimize waste of harvests;

•We keep the costs of cultivation manageable.

The crop protection products we use are strictly controlled. They may only be used if they have been found safe by the Ctgb (Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides). This is done according to strict European rules, which are considered the strictest worldwide.

Before a drug can be placed on the market, an extensive dossier must be submitted. This dossier must demonstrate that the product is safe for humans, animals and the environment. In addition, plant protection products may only be used by people who have a certificate of professional competence in crop protection. This certificate must be renewed every five years. The spraying equipment is also regularly checked by an approved body, similar to the inspection of a car (the MOT).

We understand that the use of crop protection products can raise questions. That is why bulb growers are taking various measures to reduce nuisance, such as:

•The use of techniques that prevent substances from unintentionally spreading (drift reduction).

•Taking into account the wind direction and weather conditions to ensure that products do not end up in unwanted places.

•Creating spray-free zones where possible, so that no resources come near sensitive areas.

Do you have any specific concerns? Feel free to contact the grower; They are open to a conversation and will be happy to help you.

The sector is working hard to become more sustainable:

•Crops are being developed that require less protection.

•More and more green products are being used.

•Natural enemies are used to protect crops.

•Precision techniques, such as a robot that detects diseases, are used to target resources.

•Crops are made stronger by smart fertilization and plant enhancers.

•Alternative, non-chemical methods are used, such as a laser to control weeds.

•The sector works with quality marks such as Global Gap and MPS.

Your concerns and questions are important, and bulb growers are happy to listen to them. To find solutions together, you can take the following steps to start the conversation:

1.Contact Us:

Many questions can be answered by talking to the grower. This can be done through a face-to-face meeting, by phone, or by email.

2. Ask questions such as:

•Do you have information about crop protection products?

•What measures do you take to prevent nuisance?

•How often and when are products applied?

3. Make agreements together:

Collaboration leads to solutions. Think of:

•Agreements about spraying times.

•Information in advance about work.

•... there are many field and meadow birds breeding in bulb fields? Think of the yellow wagtail, partridge, skylark and oystercatcher. Bulb fields provide an important breeding ground for these birds, especially in early spring.

•... many early-flowering bulbous plants are important for insects, such as bees and butterflies, as a source of nectar and pollen? This helps pollinate other crops in the area and contributes to a healthy nature.

•... there are many other bulbous plants besides tulips and lilies? Think of hyacinths, daffodils, irises, crocuses, blue grapes (muscari), snowdrops and zantedeschias. These crops contribute to the biodiversity of the area.

•... different types of equipment are used on land depending on the job? Think of machines for planting, harvesting and spraying crops. Special machines are often used for bulbs that disturb the land as little as possible, which is good for the soil quality.

•... When tulips bloom in the greenhouse, no pesticides are sprayed over the crop? Due to the short cultivation period and the controlled greenhouse climate, this is not necessary. This makes the cultivation of tulips in greenhouses more sustainable.

•... there are no special 'bulb' remedies? Plant protection products are usually developed for larger crops, such as vegetables, grains or potatoes. If they are safe and effective for bulbous crops, they will also receive an authorisation for flower bulbs. This ensures a responsible and controlled use of resources.

•... there is usually no chemical crop protection product in the spraying equipment? In addition to chemicals, organic or green agents or fertilizers can be used to care for the crops. This promotes more sustainable cultivation.

•... is the flower bulb sector becoming more and more sustainable? For example, crops are being developed that require less protection, and precision techniques and biological control are increasingly being used.