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Agriculture: police escort for veterinarians, new veg label launched

• The municipal council of Sint-Lievens-Houtem in East Flanders last week sent police officers to accompany veterinarians attending the annual cattle market in the town, the largest such market in Europe. The decision was taken after several incidents of aggression and threats towards vets in previous years. The vets are there to ensure animals – mainly cattle and horses – are properly treated at the market and during transport to and from town.

• The vegetable sector in Flanders is still destroying tonnes of produce as a result of low prices, the Farmers’ Union said. Earlier this year the EHEC scare led to the destruction of 500 tonnes of tomatoes and 600 tonnes of cucumbers in the Mechelen market alone. Some estimates put the total of destroyed food at 3,000 tonnes. Last week the price of lettuce at the wholesale market was seven cents, compared to an expected price of 60c.

• Last week the Flemish horticulture sector launched a new brand in Mechelen. The Bel’Orta label aims to commercialise the so-called “forgotten vegetables” such as parsnip, parsley root, quince, kohlrabi, black radish (pictured) and chard. Vegetables included in the brand will be promoted in supermarkets and local shops.

(November 16, 2024)