Number of acres with PlanetProof label doubled in year

The area certified with the label "On the way to PlanetProof" has grown tremendously in the past year to nearly 25,000 hectares worldwide. This is double the area of last year. Almost 700 cultivation and trading companies now have the certificate. In the Netherlands almost 17,000 hectares are PlanetProof.

PlanetProof is an independent sustainability label for dairy, fruit and vegetables, eggs, flowers, plants, trees and flower bulbs, previously known as Milieukeur. For example, PlanetProof farmers and growers use less environmentally harmful pesticides, are efficient in their use of water and energy, and recycle waste. Attention is also paid to CO2 reduction and animal health and welfare.

Mandatory certification

This growth is expected. Indeed, many supermarkets have made PlanetProof mandatory for 2019. Therefore, many growers have become certified. Especially the number of hectares of open cultivation of potatoes, vegetables, fruit and barley at home and abroad has grown enormously. But covered cultivation and ornamental plant cultivation under glass has also experienced growth. In view of the compulsory compliance of many supermarkets, the expectation is that even more PlanetProof will be certified in the coming years.

Growth in Limburg

The growth is also seen in Limburg: meanwhile 30 companies have been PlanetProof certified, with a total area of 711 hectares. These are mainly companies that produce barley (50%), fruit and vegetables.

International hallmark

The ambition is to make PlanetProof a leading international hallmark. The number of hectares certified abroad is still small but growing. Countries like Belgium, Germany, Italy and Spain already have PlanetProof certified companies.

More info: PlanetProof and SMK.

Source: SMK