Introduction to the Flowerbulb Inspection Service
Summary
The Flowerbulb Inspection Service, in Dutch ´Bloembollenkeuringsdienst´ and short ´BKD´, started in 1923 as a voluntary inspection service for Narcissus. The reason to start the inspection were problems with the USA regarding Ditylenchus dipsaci, stem nematode. Within a couple of years almost all Narcissus growers participated in the inspection service and inspections for other crops were started. The scope of these inspections was at first the quarantaine pests, already a couple of years later followed by classification schemes on quality aspects, mainly viruses and trueness to type. Until 1980 there was a voluntary system. In this year the Agriculture Quality Act followed, with an obligatory registration of all growers of flowerbulbs and an obligatory inspection of all planted lots on base of EU-legislation. Nowadays the BKD inspects yearly about 22,000 ha of flowerbulbs, with as most important crops tulips (10,000 ha) en lilies (6,000 ha).
Legal aspects
The inspections of flowerbulbs by the BKD are based on EU- and national legislation. On EU-level the BKD deals with the Directive on Phytosanitair Aspects (200/29) and the Directive on Trade of Propagation Material (1998/56).
Mission and goals
The mission of the BKD is the monitoring and improvement of the quality of the flowerbulbs. Our goals are to inspect with added value and being an international service provider regarding the health and quality of flowerbulbs.
Organization
The board of the BKD is formed by representatives of the growing and trading associations of flowerbulbs. To assure the independency of the BKD the chairman is appointed by the Dutch Minister of Agriculture and has no direct nor indirect connection with the bulb industry. The Director is Secretary of the Board. The BKD employs in total about 90 persons, of which 43 of them are inspectors.
Classification and certification schemes
The base of the inspection system is the obligatory registration of all growers and the yearly registration and inspection of all lots of flowerbulbs. Throughout the years for almost all flowerbulbs, classification schemes have been developed, with emphasis in these schemes on viruses, pests and trueness to type. There are tolerances for the quality aspects, which are on a very low level and differ per class, crop and abberation.
Laboratory
The laboratory of the BKD is specialised in detection of viruses in flowerbulbs. Yearly 6,000 lily samples, 4,500 tulip samples and 500 Dahlia samples are tested on various viruses by the ELISA-method. These tests are part of the classification schemes for these crops. The laboratory of the BKD has PCR- or ELISA-tests for all viruses which are known to occur in flowerbulbs. The laboratory performs also virus tests on request of national and international clients.
Contact information:
BKD Bloembollenkeuringsdienst
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Zwartelaan 2, 2161 AL Lisse, Netherlands |
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P.O. Box 300, 2160 AH Lisse, Netherlands |
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+31 (0)252 41 91 01 (reception) |
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+31 (0)252 41 78 56 |
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info@bkd.eu |
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www.bkd.eu |
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08.30 – 12.30 hrs.
13.00 – 17.00 hrs. |
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Chamber of Commerce Rijnland
41165612 |