Bulb fields in danger of disappearing

Holland’s famous bulb fields may disappear if the European Union presses ahead with a new rule banning the use of 120 pesticides.

In a report due to be published next Monday, Wageningen University says bulb growers can expect to lose €2,764 on each hectare of land if the new regulations become law.

Other farmers will also lose out, with profit on a hectare of potatoes dropping by 31% and on onions by 91%,.

The new law is intended to prevent growers coming into contact with cancer-inducing substances. The European parliament will vote on the measure in January.