The new inspections

Since the beginning of the new season, seed potato growers have been receiving their NAK (General Inspection Service for Agricultural Seed and Seed Potatoes) inspection reports for diseases such as virus and Erwinia about five weeks earlier than they used to. This is quite a time gain, which means they are able to sell their planting stock sooner. These faster results are entirely thanks to the switch to large-scale inspection with modern PCR technology. For this purpose, the Inspection Service in Emmeloord has set up a complete and ultramodern DNA laboratory. At the same time, the IT system has been completely overhauled. Miriam Kooman and Linda Smits give a full explanation during an exclusive guided tour, which has been summarised in pictures and text.