Growing or trading in flower bulbs
If you grow, sell or stock flower bulbs in the Netherlands, you must report you activities to the Flower Bulb Inspection Service (Bloembollenkeuringsdienst, BKD). They inspect the quality of all flower bulb crops in the Netherlands. There are 2 types of inspection:
- Sample inspections (in Dutch) - samples collected from growers are tested over a period of time on several quality aspects
- Field inspections (in Dutch) - inspectors make a visual assessment of quality aspects carried out in the grower’s fields
What happens during the inspection?
As a grower you must register your fields and lots with BKD in specific periods (in Dutch). The flower bulbs are registered during inspection. The BKD inspector inspects the crop on the field, and a sample taken from the flower bulbs is tested in the laboratory for viruses, bacteria and nematodes. In some species, the BKD also inspects the harvested flower bulbs.
Import and export inspection
Do you trade in flower bulbs? You must register with BKD (in Dutch). You must report that you are a trader and what you trade outside of the EU. Do you export or import flower bulbs to or from non-EU countries? You must fulfil the phytosanitary requirements of the receiving country. You must have all products inspected before shipping to a 3rd country. When importing flower bulbs inspection is also required. The BKD also carries out these inspections (in Dutch).