Interview Roman Cools
'Major concerns about the quality of Dutch seed potatoes'
The quality of Dutch seed potatoes has been increasingly discussed in Belgium in recent years. Now that NAK has announced that it will not carry out follow-up checks this year, the unrest is further increasing. A worrying situation according to Romain Cools, secretary of Belgapom.
The interview with Romain Cools was held before the NAK announced on Friday 10 July to their own surprise to have received a load of test material. As a result, the follow-up inspection in the Netherlands continues.
A lack of sufficient PCR test material prompted NAK to the decision not to carry out post-checks on seed potatoes this year. News that caused quite a stir in the potato sector, including among our southern neighbors. For Romain Cools, this is a striking example that there is still plenty to sink his teeth into in the coming months. As of January 1, 2021 he will wear it baton over to his successor Tom Vandenkdelaere. Cools will then remain involved in the background as a consultant for another six months. He will also remain leader of the World Potato Congress until the edition in Dublin, which is currently scheduled for the end of May 2021, but will be postponed for a year if necessary.
What was your first reaction to the NAK decision?
"We had to hear the message from the media. When I read the message, I first had to read it 3 times. I could not believe it. Technically I understand the issue very well. Due to the outbreak of corona, there is a large shortage of PCR test material. However, I cannot believe that as an organization you have let it get this far. You should be prepared to avoid the current situation."
What problems do you foresee in Belgium as a result of this?
"The Belgian potato sector runs on Dutch varieties. Personally, I have a very good relationship with the leaders of the most important seed potato houses. However, that does not alter the fact that due to the poor turnout, there have been major concerns in Belgium for several years about the continuity of the seed potato quality. The feeling that there is a kind of laxity in Dutch quality policy is increasing. The current decision of the NAK can be seen as the last straw. Especially now that the virus pressure is again high this year. Good quality starting material is crucial. A visual inspection in the field is not sufficient to guarantee that quality. Laboratory tests are required for this. Can you still certify seed potatoes if you do not have the quality control in order?"
What steps will the Belgian potato sector take?
"We immediately checked whether the inspection capacity in Belgium is in order. That is the case, but here the seed potato cultivation is of course much smaller. We are also looking at whether there are possibilities to help the Netherlands with test material. "I can imagine that the NAK itself is still looking for solutions, but the current message was quite clear. And yes, it does cause the necessary shaking and trembling here in Belgium."
Is Belgium going to buy more seed potatoes from other destinations?
"The alternatives are very limited. Belgium grows just under 100.000 hectares of potatoes. I estimate that 90% of certified seed comes from the Netherlands. Buyers are often tied to certain varieties. The seed potato supply from France, for example, does not match this. Germany does offer a number of alternatives. I do foresee that Belgian buyers will actively look for this and that the Netherlands will notice this. There is also a risk that people will switch to seed potatoes of lesser quality. That could set our sector back years.
Does this accelerate the announced ambition to be more self-sufficient in seed potatoes?
"Belgium has about 200 own seed potato growers, but the bulk of that cultivation concerns free varieties that are exported. Until now, the Netherlands was the label for high-quality seed potatoes. Because of the unrest about the future, the sector has already worked with a A number of research services have taken action. Together, we are looking at how to breathe new life into seed potato production in Belgium. An expensive exercise that has been put on hold, partly due to the corona crisis. But now it is increasingly bubbling to take your own initiative. After that, the activities will certainly be resumed. This will be one of the files that my successor will work on."
Jeanette Pennings
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