7 questions for Romain Cools
'Building the potato sector together'
Belgian farmers' representatives and Belgapom have taken the first step to set up a BO for Potatoes. This enables the sector to jointly build the future of potato cultivation in the country. Romain Cools, general secretary of Belgapom and FVPhouse, talks about the ambition, vision and future.
No other country in the world annually exports as many French fries as Belgium. The expectation is that another production record was set in 2017. In order to maintain this position, 4 organizations have signed a letter of intent. It is the first official step towards establishing a recognized trade association. The organization must end november see the light of day.
We are currently talking about a trade association and not a trade association. What is the difference?
"The sector organization is an instrument of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP also facilitates cooperation in the chain through producer organizations and BOs. This organization must be recognized by the government. In Belgium, there are 3 regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region. Region. After that, a system for mandatory contribution can be worked out. In the Netherlands, this is done for the entire arable farming chain. In Belgium, it was decided to set up various sub-chains, in this case for potatoes."
Belgium has many organizations involved in potato cultivation and farmers. Why the need for a BO?
"The initiators of BO Potatoes are the producers (ABS, Boerenbond and FWA) and the trade and processing (Belgapom), but the door is also open to research institutes and other links in the chain. The sustainable growth of the Belgian potato sector is central. In the past we found that a lot of work is being done, but with a lack of coordination. With the BO we hope to become a powerful voice for the sector, in order to get everyone on the same page. Government resources must be used efficiently and these must result in result-oriented projects. The dialogue in the chain must also be strengthened."
In contrast to the Netherlands, the Belgian government provides financial support for research. How does the BO deal with this?
"Our Belgapom members of Dutch origin are well aware that sector-oriented research is still being stimulated by the government here. I am thinking of WatchITgrow, which can become a unique tool in sustainable cultivation. A working group was started 1 year ago between the Walloon Fiwap and Belgapom to prepare a future-oriented cluster project. The aim is to integrate this within the BO. The creation of the BO makes available a tool to give this project a greater chance of success."
Can the Netherlands take an example from you? After all, the Belgian chips industry has already knocked us off the throne in terms of production.
"I think that the Belgian potato sector should not judge what is happening in our neighboring countries. We should first of all look at ourselves. What I can determine, and from Belgapom I am actively trying to strengthen cooperation within the potato chain in the Benelux. Think to Dutch seed houses that play a crucial role for Belgium. Belgium is perhaps the most important buyer of your seed and consumption potatoes. Another example is the collaboration between Vegaplan and Food and Feed Safety Akkerbouw (VVAk). Belgium wanted to continue with the development of a common European 'brand', but some players in the Netherlands put on the brakes."
Has the current season (low prices and contract price reductions) contributed to the intention to set up a BO?
"There are 2 elements that should not be confused: a potato season, which starts again every September, and a long-term vision. The BO goes for the second and cannot interfere with market prices. The competition authority monitors this. The dialogue to set up a long-term cooperation in the Belgian potato chain has been going on for longer and the statement of intent to set up a BO is a consequence of this.The initiative was taken last year, in a season with high market prices and quotations on the futures market of more than €20 per 100 kilos, so in tempore non suspecto (in other words: the time in which this was not yet an issue)."
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You talk about 1 powerful sound, all noses in the same direction and a sustainable future. Doesn't this start with paying a market price to the potato grower?
"The potato grower has a wide choice of outlets that producers of other crops or animal products do not have: contracts, free market, pools, futures markets and more. Apparently this is for a small group of complainants, who want to use nameless internet forums, not good enough. If that makes them happy, then they do it. I understand that growers are not happy with the new contract prices. However, one should not forget that prices have increased year after year. If I compare the farm income of According to various organizations and institutions, potato growers have done well in recent years. Professionals know that the income from potato cultivation must be viewed over several years."
How will the initiators ensure that there is no more bureaucracy?
"With the BO we don't want to stand at the wailing wall, but to build a sustainable potato sector. More and more young entrepreneurs are taking the helm. They also want to expand their parents' company, based on demand from the local and global market. It is clear that the supply of potatoes is crucial and that this supply will only be sustainable if the quality (in the broad sense of the word) of the raw material continuously improves and remains competitive.The chance of success is greater when we work together to achieve this. create a framework. Within the Belgian potato chain, we think that a BO is a good instrument for this. I hope we get the opportunity to prove this. We want a smart secretariat that is part of the potato chain, with feet in the clay and a board of directors, the majority of which are active growers, traders or processors."
Niels van der Boom
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