Netherlands Türkiye High Level Working Group
The Netherlands and Türkiye discuss climate adapation and agriculture, veterinary and phytosanitary issues, fruit and biodiversity during latest meeting of the High Level Working Group on Agriculture.
The 13th meeting of the High Level Working Group on Agriculture took place in the Netherlands in May 2023. Topics on the agenda were climate adapation and agriculture, veterinary and phytosanitary issues, fruit and biodiversity. Field visits took place to farm of the Future in Lelystad and the Institute for Bioveterinary Research in Wageningen.
Delegations from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry discussed a range of topics. The meeting underlined the positive and constructive bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture, horticulture and food.
Climate Change, Climate-Smart Agriculture and Environment
The Netherlands and Türkiye shared the challenges they are facing in the agricultural sector due to climate change. The Netherlands the presented the policy for climate-adaptive agriculture. Clearly a shared challenge for the coming years and an area where much can be learned! The team at the Netherlands embassy in Türkiye will take some initiatives in this field in the latter part of the year.
Phytosanitary and veterinary issues
Market access remains an important topic. Technical in nature, both parties noted the well developed trade flows. Issues are resolved quickly and professionally. Specific topics that were discussed included the state of play of Avian Influenza, Tuberculosis and Brucella in bovine animals, Veterinary Health Certificates, e-certification, the Turkish plant quarantine regulation and information about (hybrid) True Potato Seed.
Other Issues
Apart from the topics above, other points of information included sector developments in the soft fruits in Türkiye and the opportunities for business development. Also, biodiversity was on the agenda and specifically the next meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Side visits:
The delegations visited the ‘Farm of the Future’, an initiative in which Wageningen University & Research and Dutch farmers of the future are working together on feasible solutions to the challenges faced by agriculture in the Netherlands. The farm is located in Lelystad, in the Dutch polder province of Flevoland, a region of predominantly arable farming.
More information: Homepage - Boerderij van de toekomst (farmofthefuture.nl)
Another visit took place to Wageningen Bioveterinary Research in Wageningen, which collaborates with public and private partners to safeguard animal and public health through prevention, eradication and control of animal diseases. More information: Wageningen Bioveterinary Research - WUR
