Regensburg, April 17, 2024 – The 18th Annual General Meeting of the German Potato Trade Association, known as the Deutscher Kartoffelhandelsverband e.V. (DKHV), convened today in Regensburg, spotlighting its core demands and expectations for the upcoming EU election in June 2024.
Under the leadership of President Thomas Herkenrath, DKHV members congregated in Bavaria for their annual assembly, where, amidst the appointment of two honorary board members, they reaffirmed the association’s stance on pivotal issues. Central to discussions was the presentation of the business and financial report, followed by a steadfast reiteration of DKHV’s key demands for the impending EU election:
- Eradicating Excessive Bureaucratic Regulations: DKHV advocates for a streamlined approach, urging policymakers to forgo additional bureaucratic hurdles. Such measures hinder entrepreneurial freedom and innovation crucial for sustaining potato quality and ensuring supply security.
- Advancing Research and Innovation for Sustainability: Recognizing the potato industry’s innovative capacity, DKHV underscores the necessity of targeted support for research and development. This includes advancements in sorting, cooling, packaging technologies, and rural digitization, fostering shorter supply chains and regional sustainability goals.
- Addressing International Trade Barriers: As a significant economic contributor in Germany and Europe, the potato sector calls for the dismantling of trade barriers to facilitate international commerce.
- Holistic Sustainability and Promotion of New Potato Varieties: Emphasizing the potato’s environmental benefits, DKHV advocates for a comprehensive sustainability approach. Additionally, the association urges investment in new potato varieties to tackle challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather conditions.
DKHV members urge policymakers to champion these industry imperatives at the European level. President Thomas Herkenrath emphasizes, “Excessive bureaucracy burdens German potato trade, particularly affecting small and medium-sized enterprises. When administrative tasks outweigh time spent with potatoes, our industry’s efficiency and innovation suffer.”
About DKHV e.V.: The German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) represents the interests of approximately 170 potato trade enterprises, packers, peeling facilities, breeders, producers, packaging material manufacturers, and potato technology producers as an independent economic association.
