Miller Magazine Issue: 129 September 2020

66 INTERVIEW MILLER / September 2020 One can observe a growing tendency for more local pro- duced food and feed, more home-made food, less out- of-home. In the world of trade, one can observe more protectionism. Countries and continents want to be more self-sufficient and depending less on imports. Het Comité is averring of protectionism and closing borders for free trade. Protectionist measures are not the answer for our world-wide challenges on food and feed distribution. On the contrary, it will hinder enormously the efficient distribution opportunities of feed and food in bulk both in cost and sustainability. The only solution for many trade problems is free trade and a level playing field for all trade partners involved. What is the importance of functioning internation- al grain trade and a stable grain market in terms of world food security? Historically, international trade has helped reduce food insecurity by connecting regions with limited agricultural potential and large populations to regions with compar- ative advantages in agriculture. It has also provided con- sumers access to a more diversified and nutritious food basket. However, for trade to improve food security for as much people as possible, free trade and a level playing field for all trade partners involved is necessary. I sup- port and I believe in strong international cooperation to secure a stable grain market and offer the world food security. International trade without restrictions can help improve this international cooperation. The Royal Dutch Grain and Feed Trade Association also conducts grain trade courses. Could you please give brief information on these courses? The Grain Trade Course is organized annually by ‘Het Comité’. During this course, tutors with experience in practice discuss the intricacies of the grain trade in a broad sense. The course is specifically designed for people working in the grain and feed trade and relat- ed sectors. There are no specific admission requirements for the course, but at least lower general sec- ondary education (‘mavo’) or the equivalent is recommended for successful completion of the course. This course is open to members and non-members. The course is given in the Dutch language. During the year we offer our members all kind of seminars and courses where we strive to link up with current trade events or actu- al issues. For example topics like digitalisation of the trade, Maximum residue levels (MRL’s), logistic issues, food- and feed safety are being discussed. Is there anything you would like to add? Seed and pulses A significant part of our members trade seed and pulses, both national as international. His- torically a wide range of these products are grown in The Netherlands and consequently traders started their busi- ness, both import and export. Seed and pulses find its way to all segments of the food industry: processors, industry, (ethnic) wholesalers, food service, retail, reform and ani- mal nutrition, both conventional and organic products. European Commodity Exchange (ECE) Het Comite is a member of the European Commodity Exchange. Its primary mission is to organize "Exchange Days". Each year, in one of Europe’s major cities, the Eu- ropean Commodities Exchange asserts the representative activities of the members of the Exchanges through the increasing success of its meetings. In practice, they offer the opportunity for the players in the cereal sector to meet each other face to face, discuss the market’s future, establish contacts and consolidate their relationship of reciprocal trust. Today, the member Exchanges are vying for the honor of hosting more than 3000 participants and over 100 exhibitors every year. Brochure on Pesticide Management Het Comité in cooperation with other associations, has recently produced an update of a brochure on Pesticide Management. The previous version dated back from 2014. The update was necessary in view of recent devel- opments in the EU and to bring the attention of farmers/ storage organizations to some current specific pesticide issues. Click here ( https://www.graan.com/dynamic/ media/1/documents/2020/20200528_Pesticiden_bro- chure_MVO_Comite_Fediol_Coceral_-2019-EN-v6_FI- NAL_VERSION__English.pdf ) for the current brochure, in English. MRL changes in the EU can be extremely dis- ruptive and therefore such a communication tool is very important. This brochure is a tool to be used for outreach outside EU, upstream in the chain, when discussing with farmers and storage organizations in third countries to raise awareness on pesticide residues on oilseeds and their potential impact for EU supplies.