Expert Center for Specialty Crops

The Expert Center for Specialty Crops is the knowledge network tailored to small crops and the means and methods that are important to continue to make these high-quality crops possible in the Netherlands and Europe.

 

Result third round Bridging Fund

In the third round of the Bridging Fund twelve appliactions were approved for a total amount of €264.338,-.

Click here for the text (in Dutch) of the message.


Result second round Bridging Fund

In the second round of the Bridging Fund four applications were approved for a total amount of €69.000,-.

Click here for the text of the press release (in Dutch).

First results Bridging Fund

Fund 2015-2019 has now been closed. A Bridging Fund has been set up for 2021-2022 with the residual funds from previous funds. For the period after 2022, the parties involved are looking at setting up a new Fund.
In the first application round of the Bridging Fund, a total of 15 applications for financial support for research and authorisation costs were granted for a total amount of €228,733.50.

Click here for the text of the press release (in Dutch)


Ninth application round Fund leads to 12 new grants

I In the ninth application round of the 2015-2019 Fund, twelve applications for financial support for research and admission costs were granted for a total amount of € 166,577. The projects contribute to solving bottlenecks. Four of the awarded projects are also a project of the Expert Center for Specialty Crops.

Click here for the text of the press release.


Eighth application round leads to nine new grants

In the eighth application round of the Fund 2015-2019, a total amount of € 230,375,- has been granted for applications for financial support for research and admission costs. It concerns 9 projects. These projects contribute to solving bottlenecks in various crops.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Large label expansion of Batavia in leafy crops under glass

At the request of Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has decided to expand the area of use of the agent Batavia, based on the active ingredient spirotetramat, in a number of leafy crops grown under glass.

For more information, please refer to the website of Greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands ?

 

Large label extension for Met 52 OD

At the request of LTO Glaskracht Nederland, the Ctgb has decided to expand the field of application of the product Met 52 OD, based on Metharhizium anisopliae strain F52, with a large number of applications. This green insect and mite control agent can soon be used in covered and uncovered crops of floriculture, tree nursery, vegetable and arable crops.

For more information see the website of Greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands ?

 

Seventh round - seven new awards

In the seventh application round of the Fund 2015-2019, seven applications for financial support for research and admission costs were granted for a total amount of € 112,300-. These projects contribute to solving bottlenecks. Two of the awarded projects concern an ECSC project.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Scelta admissions significantly expanded

Together with Certis Europe BV, the Dutch Fruit Growers Organization (NFO) has been able to significantly expand Scelta's admission. The NFO has paid for this expansion application with funding from the Small Applications Fund. Scelta is a crop protection agent against mainly fruit and bean spider mites. The Ctgb has authorized the product in all stone fruit crops, all berry varieties and in all blackberry and raspberry-like crops. Use is only allowed after harvest.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

New Small Applications Fund awards

In the sixth application round of the Fund 2015-2019, eight applications for financial support for research and admission costs were granted for a total amount of €139,818. These projects contribute to solving bottlenecks. One of the awarded projects concerns a project that the Expert Center Specialty Crops had qualified as a priority.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Wide acceptance of Cantack in fruit cultivation achieved

The Dutch Fruit Growers' Organization (NFO) together with Bayer CropScience SA has achieved broad admission of Cantack in fruit cultivation. The NFO has purchased the admission tests for stone fruit in Germany with funding from the Small Applications Fund. As a result, the approval for plum and cherry could be realized at the same time as Bayer's application for apple and pear. In addition, it was possible to realize a limited authorization for woody small fruit.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Minister Schouten has a clear picture of crop protection products for small crops

In a letter to the House of Representatives (5 December 2017) Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has indicated that he is committed to an effective package of resources and measures at European and national level. According to her, this also includes crop protection products for small crops.
The minister states in the letter that:

The activities of the Small Applications Desk in 2016 have resulted in the expansion of the authorization of 29 products with a total of 170 small applications in the various sectors.

In 2016, the Small Applications Fund allocated approximately 240,000 euros for projects aimed at expanding 11 authorized products with minor applications in arable farming, open field vegetable cultivation, fruit cultivation, greenhouse vegetable cultivation, floristry and/or tree nursery and perennials. In 2016, the authorization of 7 resources was actually expanded with a contribution from the Fund.

The minister underlines in the letter that especially for crop protection products with a small application it is a challenge to use and develop the non-chemical measures in accordance with the principles of integrated crop protection: " This also requires a transition in which the business community has an important role. The ECSC is the knowledge network where this challenge should take shape in collaboration with all parties involved ?

 

New grants Small Applications Crop Protection Products Fund

In the fifth application round of the Small Applications Fund (2015-2019), seven applications for financial support for research and admission costs were granted. Four of the seven granted applications concern bottlenecks that were qualified as a priority by the Expert Center Specialty Crops.

Click here for the text of the press release

 

Newsletter January 2017

The new newsletter is out with the following content:

1. Network meeting: Dot on the horizon
2. Minor applications in a European context
3. Information meeting National expansion with Small Application (NLKUG)
4. Next Level

Click here to download the newsletter.

 

Steward admission expanded to cover crops of Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi and beans with pods and uncovered crops of cabbage leaves and beans with pods

At the request of DuPont, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has decided to extend the authorization of the insecticide Steward to cover crops of Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi and beans with pods and uncovered crops of cabbage leaf and beans with pod.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Network meeting and Workshop

Network meeting "Next level?"

On October 4, the Expert Center Specialty Crops organized a Network Meeting entitled: "Next level?".

You can download the presentations:

What have we achieved
by Annemarie Breukers, Senior Policy Advisor Plant Health LTO

Dot on the horizon
by Joris Baecke, LTO

Minor applications in the European context
by Jeroen Meeussen, Coordinator European Union Minor Uses Coordination Facility

Workshop - In-depth meeting

Following the morning program of the Network Meeting, a workshop was organized by the Ctgb and the NVWA to update you on all the changes that have been implemented at the Ctgb in recent years with regard to the authorization of small crops and minor uses.

You can contact the ECSC if you would like to receive the handout that has been prepared in relation to this meeting.

 

Newsletter March 2016

The new newsletter is out with the following content:

1. New Fund Small Applications Crop Protection Products
2. New Fund allocations
3. Projects awarded 2015
4. European Commodity Expert Groups
5. Ongoing ECSC projects
6. Bottleneck Analysis
7. Agrodis . Steering Groups
8. EU Minor Use Coordination Facility

Click here to download the newsletter.

 

New grants Small Applications Crop Protection Products Fund

In the first application round of the Fund 2015-2019, nine applications for financial support for research and admission costs were awarded for a total amount of €170,000.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Green light for new Small Applications Crop Protection Products Fund

There is a new Small Uses Fund for plant protection products. At the end of 2015, the last hurdle in the definitive establishment of such a Fund was cleared. It then became clear that the European Commission had no objections to the granting of subsidies. Half of the Fund is funded from a financial contribution from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, a quarter from the primary sector and a quarter from a financial contribution from Nefyto. The Fund has a term up to and including 31 December 2019 and disposes of 400,000 euros per year.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Signum admission extended with a large number of crops

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb decided to extend the authorization of the fungicide Signum to the cultivation of poppy seed, linseed, rapeseed, mustard seed, cottage cheese, fiber flax, chicory, chard, sugar root, zantedeschia, crested lily and ornamental alliums.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Score 250 EC can now also be used in covered cultivation of Chinese cabbage and summer rapeseed

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb has decided to expand the area of application of the Score 250 EC product with the use of summer rapeseed and the covered cultivation of Chinese cabbage, including Amsoi, Paksoy and other oriental leaf cabbages.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Admission of Wing-P including a large number of small crops

The Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb)
has approved the new Wing-P product at BASF Nederland BV's request. A large number of small crops were included in this first (zonal) authorization. Wing-P is permitted in maize, onions, shallots, leeks, flower bulbs and tubers (uncovered) and nursery stock (uncovered). Furthermore, there is admission in several small crops; these are lupine (all-purpose), sunflower (all-purpose), evening primrose, crambe and echium (not for human or animal consumption), sweetcorn, leguminous green manures, elephant grass, Aconitum, Astilbe, Hosta, peony, nursery stock seeds , rootstock and sown plugs of perennials and uncovered breeding and flower seed cultivation, vegetable seed cultivation and uncovered seed cultivation of a large number of arable crops.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Callisto admission extended with small arable crops

At the request of Vlas en Hennep.NL and Plantum, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of the herbicide Callisto with the cultivation of fiber crops, grass seed cultivation with the exception of perennial rye grass, sod cultivation, flower seed cultivation, rapeseed, other oilseeds (such as poppy seed), elephant grass, sweet corn and temporarily uncultivated land or maize land with a cultivation ban due to Cyperus.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Hussar liquid now also allowed in flax and bent grass

At the request of Vlas en Hennep.NL and Plantum, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of the liquid Hussar herbicide to include the cultivation of flax and the seed cultivation of bent grass.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Very large label extension biological fungicide Serenade

At the request of the sector and Bayer Crop Sciences, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has extended the authorization of the Serenade label to include a large number of crops in various greenhouse vegetable crops, rose (covered cultivation) and the uncovered cultivation of floricultural crops. .

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Securo can be used for treating perennials

At the request of the sector, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has decided to expand the field of application of the Securo product with the application as a fungicide by means of planting stock disinfection of perennials (rhizomes, uncovered cultivation).

Click here For more information.

 

Dual Gold admission extended to flower seed cultivation and other small crops

At the request of Plantum, also on behalf of other sectors, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of the herbicide Dual Gold to include breeding, flower seed cultivation, vegetable seed cultivation and seed cultivation of a number of arable crops, evening primrose, strawberry, garlic, aromatic root crops, gladiolus, Liatris, 2 year old roses, 2 year old fruit trees, Fagus and perennials.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Authorization of a plant protection product against suzuki fruit fly

At the request of NFO, LTO-Nederland and Dow AgroScience, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of Tracer to various fruit and vegetable crops. This expansion came about as part of a project within the Expert Center Specialty Crops, which was coordinated by the NFO. The Small Applications Fund has financed the Ctgb assessment and the residue studies.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Switch admission extended with a large number of small crops

At the request of the sector and Syngenta Crop Protection BV, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has extended the authorization of the Switch label to the cultivation of lupine for food and animal feed, cress and arugula and to the uncovered crops of apricot, peach, fruit vegetables of Cucurbitaceae with edible skin (pickle, zucchini, patisson and cucumber), parsnip, parsley root, maggi root and medicinal root crops (including valerian, ginseng and coneflower).

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Press release: Signum admission extended with a large number of small crops

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb decided to extend the authorization of the fungicide Signum to the uncovered cultivations of spinach, parsnip, salsify, horseradish, garlic, spring onions, aromatic root crops and medicinal root crops. The expansion was realized in collaboration with manufacturer BASF Nederland BV, the Product Board Arable Farming and LTO Vollegrondsgroenten.

Click here for the text of the press release.


Press release: Scelta admission extended with breeding and seed cultivation

At the request of Plantum and Certis, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of the product Scelta to include breeding and seed cultivation. The application was an Expert Center Specialty Crops project. The Small Applications Fund has financially supported the Ctgb assessment.

Click here for the text of the press release.


Press release: Boxer admission extended with a large number of crops

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb decided to extend the authorization of the herbicide Boxer to the cultivation of legumes, lupine (for food and animal feed), fiber crops, parsley root and aromatic root crops and to uncovered crops of parsnip, aromatic herb crops, medicinal herb crops and sunflowers (cut flowers). The expansion was realized in collaboration with manufacturer Syngenta Crop Protection BV, the Product Board Arable Farming, Plantum, LTO Vollegrondsgroenten and LTO Glaskracht Nederland. The application was financially supported by the Small Applications Fund.

Click here for the text of the press release.


Press release: Major expansion of Switch in small crops

At the request of the sector and Syngenta Crop Protection BV, the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has expanded the authorization of the Switch label with five minor applications in fruit and vegetable cultivation.

Click here for the text of the press release.


Press release: Opus Team allowed in flax

The Ctgb has re-registered the fungicide Opus Team, and has also granted a number of extensions, including fiber flax. The extension of the Opus Team label was realized at the request of BASF, in close collaboration with Plantum as coordinator of an effective resource package for flax cultivation. Sod cultivation was also included in the original application at the request of the sector, but unfortunately could not be granted in the end. The Small Applications Fund financed the extension application for flax and turf.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Newsletter April 2014

The new newsletter is out with the following content:

1. Expert Center achieves results with projects
2. 2014 priorities: green and integrated
3. Overview of Fund results 2009 - 2013
4. State of affairs Fund IV
5. European cooperation
6. NL KUG / zonal procedure - clarification of issues and procedures
7. Green Deal Green Plant Protection Products
8. Role of research - Preparing for less availability of chemical crop protection
9. New chairman of the Small Applications Crop Protection Foundation

Click here to download the newsletter.

 

Press release: Monarch available for summer flower growers

The Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) has decided to extend the authorization of the product Monarch for the uncovered cultivation of floristry crops (summer flowers).

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Press release: BotaniGard admission extended with small crops

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb has decided to extend the authorization of the BotaniGard WP product to include the uncovered cultivation of floristry crops and perennials, with small fruit and with breeding and seed cultivation. The application was an Expert Center Specialty Crops project, in which Certis Europe BV collaborated with LTO Glaskracht Nederland, the NFO and Plantum (as coordinator on behalf of the sectors). The application was financially supported by the Small Applications Fund.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Expansion of the Luna Privilege label

In the Ctgb board meeting of 22 January 2014, Luna Privilege was given an extension in a series of crops via a KUG (Small Expansion of Use Area). The already extensive label is supplemented with many small crops. This extension was realized at the request of Bayer CropScience and in consultation with LTO Groeiservice and the Expert Center Specialty Crops.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

European Fund for Minor Uses of Plant Protection Products

The European Commission concludes that there is a need for a European fund for minor uses of plant protection products amounting to €350,000. The Commission states that this concerns applications of plant protection products on certain "niche crops" with a high economic value, but where investments by the industry for realizing authorizations of plant protection products cannot be recouped. This leads to a lack of authorized agents in various crops and can lead to illegal use or production losses. Vegetables, fruit, tree nursery products and flowers are explicitly mentioned by the Commission in this context. These crops represent a total value of €70 billion per year, representing 22% of the total European crop production value. Although similar funds exist in some EU member states, the European fund focuses on protecting Europe's small crops. Further support is provided through the EU's 7th Framework Program called "IPM ERANET", a Europe-wide program with 32 partners, running from 2014-2016 and with a budget of €2,000,000.

Click here for the Report on the establishment of a European fund for minor uses in the field of plant protection
products

 

Press release: Hopes and fears for small crop protection applications

The Expert Center for Specialty Crops is a knowledge network tailored to small crops and to the means and methods that are important to continue to make these crops possible in the Netherlands and Europe. Every year, this Expert Center identifies priorities in order to keep the efficiency of the efforts high. For the 2013 priorities, 40% (5 of the 13 projects awarded) relate to a biological crop protection product. The Expert Center hopes to be able to solve approximately 200 combinations of crop and pest with these 13 projects.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Press release: Authorization holders very active with label extensions

The Ctgb recently took a number of decisions, expanding existing authorizations to include various smaller crops. For example, following an application from Bayer CropScience, the Ctgb extended the authorization of the product Flint to include the use in the cultivation of fiber crops, madder, the uncovered cultivation of parsley root, parsnip, turnip, kohlrabi and salsify and the covered breeding and basic seed production of arable, vegetable and fruit crops, herbs and ornamental crops. Flint can be used preventively in the aforementioned crops to combat powdery mildew, alternaria, rust and leaf spots.

Click here for the text of the press release.

 

Press release: Stump can now be used in lupine, parsnip and summer flower crops aconitum, astilbe, hosta and peony

At the request of the sector, the Ctgb decided to extend the authorization of the herbicide Stomp 400 SC to the cultivation of lupine, for food and animal feed, the cultivation of parsnips and the summer floriculture crops aconitum, astilbe, hosta and peony.

Click here for the full text of the press release.

 

Information morning: Sowing and harvesting in 2013!

On March 5th. the Expert Center organized an information morning where the current state of affairs was presented.

You can download the various presentations here:

Presentation of Jaco van Bruchem , NFO

Presentation by José van Bijsterveldt , NVWA

Presentation Geert-Jan Molema , Ctgb

Presentation Piet Boonekamp , WUR

Presentation Jaap van Wenum , LTO


Press release from 10 European agri-food associations: "Food and crop diversity under threat in Europe"

The agri-food chain urges the European Commission to act immediately on the limited availability of plant protection product for minor uses and specialty crops.

Click here for the full message.


Newsletter

Better communication contributes to solutions for bottlenecks. With this in mind, the Expert Center for Specialty Crops will publish a newsletter four times a year.
The newsletter has been emailed to all participants of the Information Morning that was organized on 6 March.

Click here for the November 2012 Newsletter.


Press release: Collaboration in Expert Center is successful

The Expert Center for Specialty Crops presented a new procedure in March this year to tackle crop protection bottlenecks in specialty crops faster, more efficiently and more effectively. The first results are visible. The procedure "Dutch Small Extension of Crop Protection Agent" has been a success and broadening the definition of small crops and applications, as promised by State Secretary Bleker, also increases the possibilities.

Click here for the full text of the press release.

 

Workshop Ornamentals and Minor Use

On September 11, the Workshop Ornamentals and Minor use was organized under the auspices of the Expert Center Specialty Crops. The main aim of the workshop was to bring representatives of the pesticide industry (including companies that market plant protection products of natural origin) into contact with representatives of agricultural and horticultural organizations and to jointly explore crop protection solutions for floriculture.

Click here for the program

A short report of the Workshop has also been prepared. You can get that report here to download.

The various general presentations (excluding those of the industry) can be downloaded below:

Function of the EU working group on minor uses: ornamental plants - Bruno Gobin (PCS)

EUMUDA European Minor Use Database - Johan Roman (NVWA) and Mario Wick (JKI)

Expert Center Specialty Crops - Jo Ottenheim (ECSC)

Assessment methodology/procedure for applications for minor uses under 1107/2009 in the Netherlands - Coen Graven (Ctgb)

 

INFORMATION MORNING MARCH 6

"A NEW APPROACH FROM 2012"

The existing structures for tackling crop protection bottlenecks for specialty crops were recently reviewed by the Expert Center. It has been established that it can be done more efficiently and effectively and an improved procedure has been developed. These improvements were explained on Tuesday 6 March.

The following presentations from this morning are currently available:

The step-by-step plan for the new approach ? Jaco van Bruchen (NFO) and Maritza van Assen (Nefyto)

The importance of international cooperation ? Jose van Bijsterveldt (NVWA)

Simplified and shortened authorization procedures for minor applications under Art. 51 of Regulation 1107/2009 ? Geert-Jan Molema (Ctgb)

Reduce bottlenecks with a system approach ? Piet Spoorenberg (WUR)

From bottlenecks to list of priorities for 2012 ... to solutions! ? Jaap van Wenum

Afterwards, the Expert Center Specialty Crops Steering Committee determined the list of priorities for 2012 and indicated possible solutions for each bottleneck through research or approval. Insofar as necessary, a nomination was made at the same time to enable financing from the Small Applications Fund.

 

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Press release, 9/27/2012: Rovral Aquaflo can now be widely used in Chinese cabbage, bok choy and lettuce under glass

Press release, 9/13/2012: Snow mold in sod cultivation is becoming manageable

Press release, 8/30/2012: Steward's major expansion in fruit and leafy crops

Press release, 2-8-2012: Phenomenally welcome addition to covered lettuce and endive cultivation

Press release, 4/26/2012: Orvego a welcome addition for covered cultivation of lettuce and lamb's lettuce

Press release, 29-3-2012: Signum can be used again in Paksoi under glass

Press release, 3/30/2012: Tramat 500 now allowed in all relevant grass seed crops and in the cultivation of sod

Press release, 3/29/2012: Rapid approval from Altacor for radishes

Press release, 3/29/2012: Expansion of Previcur Energy a welcome addition for lettuce, herbs and cabbage cultivation

Press release, 3/8/2012: Mega-step for crop protection in specialty crops

Press release, 2/27/2012: Titus label extension makes an important contribution to the realization of an effective herbicide package for the cultivation of inulin chicory

Email, 2/28/2012:

At the Expert Center Specialty Crops,
The NAV and the Dutch chicory growers are very happy with the admission of Titus and an Article 38 exemption for Safari in inulin chicory.
After the many disappointments of late, that is good for the chicory sector.
Especially if more acreage is needed in the coming years.

Kees van Dijk
Dutch Arable Farming Union
Inulin Chicory Growers' Association

Press release, 24/02/2012: Thiram Granuflo label extension for "speciality crop" radish

Press release, 2/2/2012: Crop protection bottlenecks in specialty crops: a new approach from 2012!

Press release, 2/2/2012: Fubol Gold label extension makes significant contribution to the control of downy mildew in herb and viticulture

Press release, 11/29/2011: Major label expansion Vertimec Gold solves bottlenecks

Press release Product Board Arable Farming and Plantum NL, 8-8-2011: Grass sector delighted with Puma S EW expansion

Press release LTO Nederland and LTO Groeiservice, 17-6-2011: Major label expansion Tracer solves bottlenecks

Conference on keeping plant protection solutions available for specialty crops & minor uses in the Central & Northern Zone of the EU 18-19 May Wageningen, the Netherlands. For the Conference Report and the presentations: click here
Press release, 15-6-2011: Conference Minor Uses: Collaboration is the keyword for small crops

On 14 June 2010, the initiators signed a Memorandum of Understanding ?
With this Memorandum the parties agree to jointly form a virtual Expert Center for Specialty Crops.

For more information about the Expert Center download the Q&A ?

Press release LTO Nederland and LTO Groeiservice, 17-6-2011: Major label expansion Tracer solves bottlenecks

Conference on keeping plant protection solutions available for specialty crops & minor uses in the Central & Northern Zone of the EU 18-19 May Wageningen, the Netherlands. For the Conference Report and the presentations: click here
Press release, 15-6-2011: Conference Minor Uses: Collaboration is the keyword for small crops