Berlin, May 30, 2024. The upcoming elections to the European Parliament are crucial. In the run-up to the European elections, the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) reiterates its greatest concerns about the future of EU agricultural policy.
“This is about securing the future of the German potato trade and the entire potato industry. The primary goal must be to offer companies a stable economic perspective in order to respond to the challenges of our time and at the same time continue to make a contribution to climate protection and sustainable development,” emphasizes Thomas Herkenrath, President of the DKHV.
As an independent trade association, the DKHV represents the interests of around 170 members, including potato trading companies, packers, peeling companies, breeders, producers and manufacturers of packaging materials and potato technologies. They demand that EU parliamentarians promote sustainable cultivation practices as well as strengthen the innovative strength and competitiveness of the potato industry through unbureaucratic EU agricultural policy, research funding and the removal of international trade barriers.
Main concerns of the German Potato Trade Association with regard to the 2024 European elections
1) Avoid additional bureaucratic requirements and mandatory impact assessments
The potato industry is a sustainable and high-quality natural product. Only entrepreneurial freedom in the potato industry guarantees innovation and security of supply.
- When implementing legislative proposals, the principle of reducing bureaucracy or the one-to-one rule should be observed.
- We reject additional documentation and reporting requirements.
- New bureaucratic rules and laws require a reliable assessment of the impact on the entire economic chain.
2) Promote research and innovation for greater sustainability.
- The potato industry is innovative. Politics must provide greater support for research and development along the value chain.
- This includes the promotion of modern sorting, cooling and packaging systems as well as the expansion of digitalization in rural areas.
3) Reduction of international trade barriers
- The potato industry is an important economic factor in Germany and Europe.
- The DKHV calls on EU policymakers to promote the reduction of plant protection trade barriers for exports in bilateral and multilateral negotiations with third countries in order to support European companies.
- The DKHV expects politicians to work towards equal treatment of EU member states compared to third countries when it comes to exports.
4) A comprehensive overview of sustainability and the promotion of new potato varieties.
Potatoes are one of the most sustainable foods in the world due to their advantages for soil fertility, erosion protection and low water consumption. At the same time, the potato industry is facing challenges from extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change and the emergence of new potato pests and diseases.
- In order to protect domestic potato cultivation, a holistic approach to sustainable development must be the focus. When implementing legislative proposals to achieve sustainable development goals, all three pillars must be taken into account equally: social, environmental and economic!
- Sustainable sustainability management is essential to ensure potato production. We demand effective protective measures in potato cultivation.
- The DKHV calls on politicians to promote research and development in the field of sustainable plant protection and fertilizer use. It is necessary to ensure timely access to modern selection and cultivation methods.
About the DHV e.V.
As an independent industry association, the German Potato Trade Association (DKHV) represents the interests of around 170 potato trading companies, packers, peeling companies as well as plant breeders, manufacturers and packaging material manufacturers or potato technology manufacturers.
