Growing or trading in flower bulbs
If you grow, sell, or stock flower bulbs in the Netherlands, your flower bulbs must be inspected. You must report your activities to, amongst others, the Flower Bulb Inspection Service (Bloembollenkeuringsdienst, BKD). They inspect the quality of all flower bulb crops in the Netherlands.
Register as a grower
As a grower you must first register your company with BKD (in Dutch). After that, register your fields and lots with BKD. You have to do so in specific periods (in Dutch).
What happens during the inspection?
BKD performs various inspections to determine the quality of the crops:
- Sample inspections - samples collected from growers are tested over a period of time on several quality aspects
- Field inspections - inspectors make a visual assessment of quality aspects carried out in the grower’s fields
The flower bulbs are registered during inspection. The BKD inspector checks the crop on the field, and a flower bulb sample is tested in the laboratory for viruses, bacteria, and nematodes.
Register as a trader
Do you trade in flower bulbs? You must register with BKD (in Dutch). You must report that you are a trader and what products you trade outside of the EU. When you export flower bulbs, you must also register with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and with Ketenregister (in Dutch).
Import or export of flower bulbs outside the EU
Do you export or import flower bulbs to or from non-EU countries? You must meet the phytosanitary requirements of the receiving country. You must have all products inspected before shipping to a 3rd country.
When you import flower bulbs, inspection is also required. The BKD carries out these inspections as well.