“Flemish ornamental horticulture among the best in the world”

On Friday Flemish Minister-president Kris Peeters CD&V, also being the minister for Agriculture, put Flemish ornamental horticulture under the spotlight during the decennial Dutch horticultural expo, the Floriade 2012, held in Venlo this year. “Flemish ornamental horticulture, as a world player in its own right, deserves pride of place here,” said Peeters during his visit to the Belgian pavilion. All participating countries are given the opportunity to organise a day to showcase their own country and unique features to visitors. This year Flanders organised a three-day expo from Friday to Sunday. Peeters stressed the unique occasionthe Floriade offered to display Flemish ornamental horticulture to the world. The approximately 1 800 growers in Flanders earn more than 500 million euros in production on their 6 600 hectares each year. Thanks to its central location in Europe, the region is “at the cutting edge of international trade in horticultural products”, maintained Peeters, who praised Ghent’s azalea, laurel and begonia as the showpieces. The begonia, and the tuberous begonia in particular, is famous for its use in flower carpets in market squares. This weekend visitors enjoyed the opportunity to marvel at their beauty in Brussels’ Grand Market and in Sint-Niklaas. Peeters is convinced that no other country in Europe disposes of as much know how about ornamental growing as Flanders. “The close collaboration among researchers and between scientists and ornamental growers makes it so much easier to put research results into practice,” he concluded.