Organic flower bulbs
You can recognise organic flower bulbs by the certification label indicating organically grown products. These flower bulbs have been organically produced. This means that they have been grown without the application of nonorganic fertilisers, chemical crop protection agents and pesticides. The organic agriculture standards applied to the production of organic flower bulbs are based on preserving the environment, biodiversity and landscape and apply throughout the EU.

Monitoring the organic production of flower bulbs
Skal Biocontrole monitors whether flower bulbs are being produced in compliance with the organic agriculture standards that apply to flower bulbs. This organisation serves as an agency that monitors the reliability of organically grown products, including organic flower bulbs, in the Netherlands. ‘Organic’ is a legally protected term. Legislation for organic production is aimed at preserving and justifying the trust of consumers in organic products. An organic flower bulb may bear this qualification only if its production process complies with statutory regulations. European authorities determine these regulations, the certified organic bulb producers comply with these regulations, and the Ministry of European Affairs commissions Skal Biocontrole to monitor this compliance. You can thus be sure that organic flower bulbs really are organic.

The supply chain
The entire supply chain that handles organic flower bulbs has to be certified. This means that all the organisations that produce, process, package, import, market and store these flower bulbs have to comply with the requirements that apply to organic flower bulbs. The production of organic flower bulbs involves more risk than the production of conventionally produced flower bulbs. The reduced use of fertilisers and the limited options for controlling diseases and pests during cultivation mean lower yields of organic flower bulbs than conventional flower bulbs. This is why the costs for producing organic flower bulbs are higher than for conventional flower bulbs.

The advantages provided by organic flower bulbs
The price for organic flower bulbs is higher than for conventional flower bulbs. On the other hand, buying them provides extra advantages:

– Cultivating them involves no use of chemical crop protection agents and nonorganic fertilisers.

– Cultivating them involves no release of undesirable substances into the environment (into ground water, drainage ditches, etc.)

– Efficient use is made of scarce raw materials such as minerals and fuel for energy.

– Fewer flower bulbs are planted per square metre so that the plants are grown in a healthier, more natural way.

– More attention is devoted to the crop in the form of regular and accurate plant monitoring.