Last week, Henry Rombouts of Hortagri Trading & Service took photos of iceberg lettuce fields in the Netherlands. "Field after field, crammed with aphids," he reports.
© Henry Rombouts
According to Henry, lettuce aphid populations have become firmly established in recent years and are now almost impossible to control. The main reason, he says, is the loss of several plant protection products and the ban on seed coatings. "Our toolbox is running empty. And when the toolbox is only half full, the few remaining tools often get used too frequently, and sometimes incorrectly. In my view, throwing away the good tools, the effective crop protection products, has caused pesticide use in lettuce to double over the past five years."
This is exactly the opposite direction that the Netherlands' highly professional growers want to go. Yet next year, Henry warns, more essential tools will disappear, leaving growers with their backs against the wall. "Will they invest millions again in spring and just hope it works out? Who dares?"
Of course, trials are being carried out across the sector, with chemical and biological alternatives, and with insect netting, but none have produced a decisive breakthrough yet. Nature is lending a hand, though: Henry's photos also show hoverfly larvae feasting on aphids. "I don't mind a single aphid on my plate," he says, "but I doubt anyone feels hungry looking at a hoverfly maggot."
If current policy doesn't shift, Henry warns, the supply of healthy food will soon be under threat. "Vegetables and fruit will become a luxury for the elite, and healthcare costs will spiral out of control."
Source: Henry Rombouts