Lily cultivation

Floriculture is the growing of ornamental crops. 

This includes flower bulbs, cut flowers and ornamental shrubs. 

Ornamental cultivation is not allowed within the municipality of Opsterland. This includes: 

• lands for which an agricultural use is designated in the zoning plan, and
• is not licensed, and
• does not fall under existing uses.

This is regulated in the Buitengebied 2014 zoning plan (link to zoning plan external link:NL.IMRO.0086.BPBuitengebied-0301). 

For agriculturally designated land, the use of land for ornamental cultivation, fruit growing, arboriculture or other upright perennial forms of cultivation is considered contrary, unless it is existing use. (Article 3.5(c) of the zoning ordinance).

The college may grant an environmental permit for ornamental cultivation, provided that there is no disproportionate impairment of: the landscape and cultural-historical values the natural values, the environmental situation, the possibilities for use of the adjacent grounds, traffic safety and lighting levels (Article 3.6 of the zoning plan).

Does the Opsterland municipality enforce ornamental cultivation within the municipality? 

Yes, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen enforces on ornamental cultivation if it is determined that there is a violation. 

How does an enforcement process work? 

The enforcement process begins with an inspection by our supervisors. When a violation occurs, the violator receives a letter stating which rules have been violated and what measures must be taken within a reasonable period of time to end the violation. The violator is also given the opportunity to submit an opinion. The college then carefully weighs all interests. Based on this consideration, the college decides whether to take enforcement action.

The violator can object to this and appeal or appeal to the court. These procedures offer the opportunity to present points of view, which contributes to careful handling. This does mean that an enforcement process can take a long time. 

You can submit a notification at handhaving@owo-gemeenten.nl. Once you have submitted a notification, our supervisors will begin checking the parcel in question.

For plots known to us, the supervisors already conduct structural inspections.

Plant protection products are used in the agricultural sector. These agents ensure that a crop is protected from harmful plant and animal species. 

The municipality of Opsterland cannot enforce the use of pesticides. This responsibility lies with other bodies, such as the Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) and the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA).

A plant protection product may only be used if it is authorized. The Board for the Authorization of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) deals with the authorization of these agents.

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is currently conducting research on the effects of pesticides on local residents. This research will run from 2023 to an expected 2031. In addition to this RIVM research, Wageningen University and Radboud UMC are conducting the SPRINT study in collaboration with European partners. In this study, the effects of the interplay of multiple pesticides (cocktail) are being further investigated.