The size of the illegally propagated and sold seed potatoes of the Fontane variety is significant. This year alone, 250 tons of seed potatoes have not been inspected. According to the watchdog, seed potatoes have been propagated and sold illegally for at least 3 cultivation years. This is according to new data from Breeders Trust.
In mid-March, Breeders Trust known to track down the illegal seed trade. At the end of April, the watchdog announced that it, together with the NAK, had found the perpetrators. More details were released on Monday 6 May. It would be the largest seed potato cultivation company in the Netherlands, with more than 350 hectares of seed potatoes.
Large volumes
According to Breeders Trust, fraud has been committed with the French fries potato variety Fontane in at least 3 growing years. In the 2018 harvest year, this concerns 250 tons, which trading company Zeeland Trade subsequently sold to Belgian and Dutch ware potato growers. In most cases, the growers were not aware that the seed potatoes were illegally propagated, with falsified certificates.
The breeding company has now admitted to having partially withdrawn the Fontane variety from the trading house's seed potato pool. These uncertified lots were sold to trading company Zeeland Trade in Vogelwaarde. Here the seed potatoes received a forged NAK certificate. There was sometimes a middleman between this company and the grower, but he was not aware of the fraud.
Geert Staring, the director of Breeders Trust, speaks of a disgrace because confidence in the NAK certificate has been damaged at international level and a large number of Dutch and Belgian potato growers have been duped. "They have been misled and unwittingly become involved in the illegal trade in propagation material."
Multiple races?
The service calls on growers and traders to check their records for the past 3 years if they have acted with the parties involved. It is also possible that other breeds have been illegally propagated and traded. The forged certificate bears the number 549.495.787. Companies that recognize themselves in this can report to Breeders Trust or the NAK.
Due to the size, seriousness and repeated counterfeiting, hefty fines and claims are hanging over the heads of the parties involved, according to a press release. In addition, there is a breach of contract between the seed potato grower and the seed potato trading house. The growers of ware potatoes can also initiate civil proceedings themselves against the Zeeland supplier.
Harvesting potatoes again
"There is a (very) high chance that the illegal seed potatoes will have to be harvested," Staring reports. "The Dutch and Belgian authorities do not want to take any risks here, because the starting material can also be ware potatoes. There is no traceability, because the official certificate is missing. This is sour for the growers involved. I really believe that they are acting in good faith been."
It is not the first time that illegally propagated seed potatoes have to be used again cleared† However, the scale of this case is unique, according to the director. "I have never experienced this in my 40 years. In the past we have had business with illegal NAK certificates, but these involved relatively small parties in Kosovo and Turkey. Now it is close to home and with the largest buyer of Dutch seed potatoes. The certificate and the logo stand for trust, so the inspection service takes it very seriously."
Financial gain
Staring can also name a reason why the cultivation company and the trader committed the fraud: "1 certificate stands for a maximum of 30 tons of certified seed potatoes. With the current market prices you are talking about €30.000 per label. The companies became increasingly bold. you hardly notice it on such a large scale when a few tons are withheld per hectare."
The NAK and Breeders Trust are trying hard to tackle the parties. And we are also working on this behind the scenes. For example in the case of last November, in which a seed potato company in Luttelgeest was got caught.
Legs again?
The authorities now have to make a decision about the consequences, which will probably lead to the harvesting of the seed potatoes. The growers are then allowed to plant certified seed potatoes again, Staring believes. The question is whether it is not too late by then and whether they can still obtain seed potatoes at all. That is why it also calls on affected companies to take action against the supplier themselves.
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This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url=http://www.boerenbusiness.nl/akkerbouw/aardappelen/ artikel/10882354/consequences-sjoemelpootgoed-not-to-overzien]Consequences of sjoemelpootgoed cannot be overseen[/url]
Indeed, I also do not understand why Agrico has not already expelled this grower. Who can guarantee that what is now in the ground at this mts...... is not cheating seed?