The interest group for the potato processing industry, VAVI, has established that the General Trading Conditions for Seed Potatoes (AHP) used by suppliers and buyers of seed potatoes from 2015 do not function satisfactorily and that VAVI is therefore actively seeking a solution.
The VAVI is of the opinion that the trading conditions for seed potatoes that suppliers and users of seed potatoes use are deficient on certain fronts. “It contains subjects that do not actually work for the users or the suppliers. You should therefore remove those subjects and give them a place elsewhere," says secretary Hylke Brunt of the industry's interest group. Dissatisfaction with the AHP has been lingering for some time and the VAVI's approach is that a solution should be ready in about a year.
Users not satisfied
At the same time, according to Brunt, certain parts about the quality requirements of seed potatoes have not been properly taken into account. “As a result, seed potato users are not satisfied with the current conditions.” Brunt mentions as an example that the focus is now mainly on physical characteristics, while 'internal' characteristics are at least of equal importance.”
What to do in case of deviations?
Moreover, according to him, it is not sufficiently clear what to do if the party deviates in qualitative terms from what has been agreed. “If the quality of the seed potatoes is different than expected, you want to attach consequences that are clear and agreed upon for everyone. At this point, the trading conditions fall short.”
Better assessment of internal quality
With regard to seed potato quality, the VAVI believes it would in any case be desirable for the NAK to test more emphatically on the 'internal quality' of seed potatoes. For this reason, Brunt hopes that the results of the 'seed potato quality chain project', which the VAVI has initiated together with the NAO, can give concrete substance to the wish for an internal quality or vitality test.