The
Dutch
floriculture
sector
is
on
the
brink
of
a
major
transition:
largely
replacing
chemical
crop
protection
agents
with
natural
alternatives
and
biological
control
agents.
This
change
will
likely
affect
the
final
product,
including
its
quality,
appearance,
and
the
presence
of
biological
control
agents
and
residues.
This
raises
a
crucial
question:
how
will
trade
and
consumers
receive
these
more
sustainably
produced
ornamental
plant
products?
This
question
is
the
focus
of
the
upcoming
third
edition
of
Horticulture
Tomorrow,
which
will
begin
in
autumn
2024,
made
possible
by
TKI
Horticulture
&
Starting
Materials.
The
aim
of
this
edition
is
to
develop
a
concrete
plan
for
the
trade
of
more
sustainably
produced
floriculture
products.
Led
by
Peter
Ravensbergen
of
Wageningen
University
&
Research
and
Coen
Hubers
of
ACCEZ,
around
30
participants
and
industry
experts
will
work
on
the
challenges
and
future
perspectives
of
the
horticultural
sector
over
three
sessions.
Coen
states,
“The
reduction
of
chemical
crop
protection
products
has
far-reaching
consequences
for
the
entire
chain.
From
breeder
to
consumer,
everyone
has
to
get
used
to
a
new
definition
of
quality.
This
requires
adaptation
and
a
willingness
to
embrace
a
different
product
image.
We
are
asking
growers
to
use
fewer
plant
protection
products,
while
at
the
same
time
we
must
continue
to
attract
consumers
with
an
appealing
end
product.”
Energy
transition
action
plans
Horticulture
Tomorrow
is
an
initiative
that
brings
together
greenhouse
horticulture
experts
to
share
knowledge,
connect,
and
develop
future
visions
around
current
themes
within
the
sector.
The
initiative
is
for
and
by
the
sector,
with
around
30
experts
and
entrepreneurs
developing
action
plans,
lobbying
strategies,
white
papers,
or
vision
documents
during
various
sessions.
A
second
successful
edition
of
Horticulture
Tomorrow
was
completed
in
spring
2024,
focusing
on
the
energy
transition
within
the
Dutch
greenhouse
horticulture
sector.
Four
action
plans
aimed
at
accelerating
this
transition
were
presented
during
GreenTech
Amsterdam:
the
energy
transition
plan,
the
area
approach,
lighthouses,
and
greenboxes.
The
ultimate
goal
is
to
produce
climate-neutral
flowers,
plants,
vegetables,
and
fruit
by
2040.
Powerful
to
concrete
actions
Coen
Hubers
emphasizes:
“This
spring,
Horticulture
Tomorrow
has
proven
itself
to
be
a
powerful
instrument
for
developing
a
vision
with
a
broad
group
of
experts
and
stakeholders
in
a
short
time
and
turning
it
into
concrete
actions.
After
‘internationalization’
and
‘energy,’
the
‘healthy
plant’
theme
is
the
next
topic
to
which
ACCEZ
is
making
an
important
contribution.”
Horticulture
Tomorrow
aims
to
grow
into
an
ongoing
research
program
leading
trends,
technologies,
and
developments
in
the
horticultural
sector.
Each
year,
new
topics
are
addressed,
the
findings
of
which
form
a
valuable
knowledge
base
for
the
sector.
Source:
Accez
