b'SINCE YOU ASKEDBY: NIELS LOUWAARSVILLAGE POLICIES ARE ALL AROUND USP olicy making is not an easy task. Theis to create the necessary robust crops,The problem lies with the definition of famous insight governing is antici- resistant to pests and diseases andacceptable damage level. In seed pro-pating is increasingly difficult withadapted to the new cropping systems.duction we have different standards and populist trends more and more affectingHow to maintain a liveable income forespecially exported seeds clearly have us. Looking ahead and beyond our own lim- the farmers is a yet unresolved detaildifferent requirements. IPM and zero ited geographical field of view is hard. For athough. We are a powerful sector, and thephyto-tolerances are not easy to match, globally operating seed sector, village-pol- government will support us to get accessespecially when chemical corrections itics is troublesome. Even when globalto the additional tools that can speed upbecome scarce and biological crop pro-issues are being discussed, village levelour breeding processes. Indeed, they aretection products come to the market at a implementation tends to be the outcome. aiming at making sure that gene editingvery slow pace. Our government hails the A clear example of this is the Parisbecomes available for as many breedersexport of seeds as a positive contribution Agreement, which has set clear goals foras possible. Secondly, there is good under- towards more sustainable cropping in the emission of greenhouse gasses. Thatstanding that healthy seeds are criticalthird countries. But recognising the lim-has to be applauded, but when put inwhen you want to have a healthy crop. Soitations of IPM in this matter is a difficult practice, it leads to perverse incentives.reluctantly, it is accepted that the littleissue. It appears another example of vil-The famous Dutch Friesian-Holsteinchemicals that will still be used, need tolage politics: we need to reduce chemistry cattle and their suid neighbours, shit andbe used most effectively, i.e., in tiny bitsat our own national level, and the rest of fart a lot, so in order for the Netherlandson the seed rather than in field sprays.the world. . . . is far away. to reach its Paris goals, their numbersIt is difficult to connect policies that need to significantly reduce accordingoperate in different ministries or different to the mathematicians. It is irrelevantcorridors within the same ministry. We whether milk and meat production insometimes should also look at ourselves, less advanced rearing systems else- the seed associations and their members. where create much more emissions perEVEN WHENWe often fight for a level playing field in animal than in the intensive stables in theGLOBAL ISSUES AREEurope (or even globally), when it suits Netherlands. So global emissions will riseus, but we also celebrate the resolution as a result of the Dutch policies, but weBEING DISCUSSED,of a problem at the local level, even when may confidently go to the next climateVILLAGE LEVELthat goes against the immediate interest meeting, butoopsclimate changeof our colleagues across the border. We does not know borders, does it? This is aIMPLEMENTATIONtend to be happy when we create national clear example of village politics: puttingexemptions on EU-policies that give an only your own house in order, not caringTENDS TO BE THEadvantage to our own members. The most about the bigger picture. illage politicsOUTCOME. illustrative examples are indeed those in We can also see v the crop protection area. The exemptions closer to home. Chemical crop protec- on the ban on neonic seed treatments tion has come under pressure which ison sugar beet are a telling example. Or understandable since not all chemicalsliberties to treat seeds for export with are equally beneficial for the environ- products that are banned in the EU. Or ment. Explicit policy goals have beenSo much for the good news becausethe national application of the minor use formulated in Europe. The Farm-to-Forktrouble starts to emerge for the sector.exemptions. strategy speaks of 50 per cent less useIntegrated pest management (IPM) isIt must be clear that also these are of chemistry in agriculture; the Dutchthe buzzword as a much more nature- examples of village politics that we need target is close to zero emissions to thelike and therefore sustainable solution.to avoid, because the perverse side of the environment in 2030. Courageous goalsObserving the pests and diseases beforemedal is always looming.and a truly multi-stakeholder governancetaking action, thus keeping damage levels of their implementation has been put inat acceptable limits rather than count- Niels Louwaars is the Managing place in the famous polder culture of mying on pre-emptive strikes, is a laudableDirector at Plantum. This article does country. The seed industry is looked uponaim. The disease agents only become anot necessarily reflect the views of all as a major saviour of the goals. Breedingproblem when they reach epidemic levels.Plantum members.42IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'