Petra de Kam
Deputy Secretary-General
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and nature (LVVN)
Naktuinbouw is a key executive agency for the LVVN (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature) with statutory responsibilities. Naktuinbouw oversees the field and maintains close contact with the sector. In my role as Deputy Secretary-General, I meet with Naktuinbouw, for example, at the biennial administrative meetings and in discussions with Naktuinbouw and fellow inspection services. Naktuinbouw is a professional discussion partner with engaged and constructive people who explore opportunities to further develop the organization. It's a very pleasant collaboration. We can only build this relationship if Naktuinbouw and LVVN continue to connect based on trust and with a focus on the content. Together, we discuss the continuity of the organization, the mutual relationship, and current issues.
A topic of discussion in 2025 was developing the plans for the construction of a new lab, the investment it requires, and how Naktuinbouw is taking an entrepreneurial approach to this. Besides discussing current events, there's always a discussion about continuity. We explored Naktuinbouw's contribution to the LVVN's social goals. These goals relate to a future-proof food system, vibrant countryside, robust nature, and biodiversity. Each organization has (legal) responsibilities and develops a mission statement that it shares with its employees. Naktuinbouw and LVVN clearly connect their responsibilities and social goals through policy and regulations. We touch on ‘technical’ topics such as statutory responsibilities, but also on mutual expectations and setting a course for the future. These are valuable and interesting conversations about Naktuinbouw's (medium-)long-term developments, with a focus on risks and opportunities. I appreciate Naktuinbouw's openness in this regard and am proud of our relationship.
Susanne Sütterlin
MT Member, Plant Supply Chains and Food Quality Department
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and nature (LVVN)
In 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and Naktuinbouw continued to collaborate intensively and constructively, achieving excellent results. The PVP Toolbox, which shares Dutch knowledge and experience with plant variety protection with countries wishing to implement them, was very positively evaluated. Its efforts are highly valued internationally by both businesses and governments.
The Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the proposal for trade in forest reproductive material (FRM). The Netherlands' commitment to Europe in recent years has been achieved through intensive collaboration with Naktuinbouw. We are also very grateful for this excellent collaboration. An agreement on the proposal for plant reproductive material (PRM) is expected in 2026. The coming years will therefore be focused on implementing both proposals.
Of course, there are always challenges, for example, regarding capacity or the challenges surrounding further digitalization. We see that Naktuinbouw is successfully addressing these challenges. Where necessary and desirable, we as a department are happy to play a role. We are confident that together we will continue to make great strides for the sector and society in 2026.
Corné van Alphen
Director National Plant Protection Organisation
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)
After several years of administrative changes at Naktuinbouw and the signing of the new Multi-Year Agreement, 2025 was a quiet year in this area. But substantively, our work and collaboration never stand still. The status of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) changed from a quarantine organism (Q) to a Regulated Non-Quarantine Pest (RNQP) on January 1, 2025. From that date onward, the plant inspection service, in this case Naktuinbouw, will impose the measures, no longer the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This transition went smoothly.
The new regulation, Laboratories Approved for Seed Export (LEEZ), came into effect on February 1, 2025. This regulation governs the use of NAL test results for export certification of seeds. The NVWA and Naktuinbouw are establishing this accreditation scheme together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) and in consultation with the industry. In short, this accreditation scheme means that the NVWA guarantees the health of vegetable seeds, based on tests performed by the vegetable seed suppliers' accredited laboratories. The first accreditation for this scheme was awarded on October 29th. It is a modern, watertight system of responsibilities and inspections that safeguards plant health, is efficient and flexible, and will serve as a blueprint for (re)new accreditation schemes.
In short, we achieved excellent results together again in 2025. I look forward to continuing to work with Naktuinbouw in 2026 to strengthen our collaboration in protecting plant health.