The inspection of the material is a legal requirement that is usually being carried out on instruction and under supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In The Netherlands, for instance, the inspection task has been appointed to the Dutch Inspection Service for Horticulture (Naktuinbouw) and the Bloembollenkeuringsdienst (BKD). The two organisations implement the so-called Seeds and Planting Materials Act and European legislation relating to propagation material in the flower, fruit and vegetable sector. The European trade directives stipulate that propagation material in the member states of the European Union (EU) must comply with certain standards.

All relevant information can be found on the Naktuinbouw website (in English): www.naktuinbouw.nl

Key-elements of the CBI market surveys are: market segmentation, market access, tariff and non-tariff barriers, market trends, competition and price levels, import and export figures, and trade channels. Moreover, the market surveys discuss export marketing guidelines, which help the exporter to evaluate whether to get involved in international business, and learn how to go about exporting.

Selection of CBI publications:

• Market Survey Cut Flowers and Foliage (1997, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Market Survey Plants and Young Plant Material (1997, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Product Survey Summer Flowers (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Product Survey Tropical Flowers (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
• Marketing Guide Cut Flowers and Foliage (2003)
• Marketing Guide Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (2003)
• Exporting Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (1997, 1999)
• Marketing Guide Pot Plants and Young Plant Material (2003)