Dutch Cherry Growers Fight for Pesticide Use Against Exotic Fruit Flies Amidst Government Restrictions

A majority of the House of Representatives wants cherry growers to be able to use pesticides to combat exotic fruit flies.

BBB submitted a motion to this point, supported by PVV, VVD, CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP, FvD and JA21. The parties fear that the “Dutch cherries are at risk of extinction” because some pesticides may no longer be exempt, i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) no longer allows their use .

On Thursday morning, the Dutch Fruit Growers Organization (NFO) came to the House of Representatives to express the concerns of cherry fruit growers. They fear for their harvest if they are not allowed to do anything about the so-called Suzuki fruit fly, which lays eggs in growing cherries which then rot.

The Asian fruit fly has been threatening Dutch fruit farms for more than ten years. For these years, growers have been exempt from using two crop protection products, Exirel and Tracer. But this year the ministry does not want to send it out, which is a shame for more than a hundred Dutch cherry growers.

The ministry says it is basing its decision on negative advice from the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). In recent years, they conducted inspections of cherry growers and it turned out that they did not comply with the “rules for the safe application of pesticides”, according to a ministry spokesperson. Improper use of protective equipment poses a risk to surface water.

The House does not agree with the decision of the ministry and fears that violations will “disappear from the streets of Holland”. The parties also believe that it is unfair because the pesticides are allowed in Germany.

Agriculture Minister Adema understands the House’s concerns and says he is looking for a solution. He sees that more and more cherry growers are using better and better pesticides. “I’m in talks,” he says. He hopes to find a solution soon.