Growers of French fries have to wait a little longer for the conditions for compensation for excess potatoes due to the corona crisis. The Ministry of LNV is delaying the announcement of the forthcoming compensation scheme over the weekend.
The arrangement must be made under steam and boiling water. At the same time, Minister of Agriculture Carola Schouten wants to present a total package that also includes regulations for fruit and vegetables, floriculture and other sectors, such as duck farming.
In addition, new support measures from the European Commission were announced yesterday (Thursday), which are still being studied. In any case, BO-Akkerbouw director André Hoogendijk, who directs the sector consultation with the ministry, 'does not currently have the impression that the cabinet will decide on this today (Friday, April 3).'
Two weeks
The joint chain parties in the French fry potato cultivation and processing sector have been in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality for two weeks about a compensation scheme. After the European Council of Ministers at the end of March, it became clear that there will most likely be a scheme, with a limit of a maximum of €100.000 in compensation per grower. The scheme must be easy to implement and quick to implement.
Potato starch processor Avebe has stated in a letter to its members that it does not intend to process surplus French fries potatoes, so that direction offers no solution.