Who are we?

We are MPS, a movement founded by growers, for growers and we’re on a mission. We’re here to make the horticulture industry more sustainable, by supporting growers in their sustainability performances. We achieve this by making these performances transparent, measurable, and demonstrable. For that purpose, we develop and manage a range of innovative certification standards and on- and offline tools. We also provide participants with their own data insights on which they can read their own business usage. Our certificates ensure that sustainability in the horticulture sector is increasingly becoming an integral part of the day-to-day business activities. MPS standards are internationally recognised and at the cutting edge of the horticulture industry. However, these standards not only concern the environment, MPS also promotes sustainability with certificates for quality assurance and social aspects. In doing so, we offer the sector tools for the effective implementation of corporate sustainability.

MPS has a board consisting of six people. The main objective of MPS is to develop and promote sustainable and socially responsible entrepreneurship (CSR) within the sector, as well as to improve the image of the horticulture sector. The board sets the policy to achieve these goals and is responsible for monitoring the continuity of the organisation. The main stakeholders sit on the Board; they also influence the content and implementation of the MPS standards.

The Board members are:

• Mr M. van der Sar (chairman)
• Ms S. Miltenburg (Royal FloraHolland)
• Mr J. Aerts (Glastuinbouw Nederland)
• Mr M. Mesken (VGB)
• Mr F. van der Heide (Tuinbranche Nederland)
• Mr M. de Ruiter (personal, it/digital)

The Council of Experts (CvD) is the advisory body of the MPS board with regard to the content and operation of the MPS certification standards. It ensures that the standards are aligned with daily practice. Decisions taken by the CvD are ratified by the Board.

The CvD has a say in the development and management, policy and requirements with regard to the content and functioning of the MPS standards. This is understood to mean: all activities that influence the certification and reliability of the MPS standards (drafting of requirements and interpretation (Audit Manual, Conflict of Interest, requirements for certification bodies, sanctions policy)). The members of the CvD also create public support for the acceptance of MPS certification standards.

The members of the CvD are:

• Ms L. van Wassenaer, Wageningen Economic Research (it/digital), chairwoman
• Mr J. Koeman, Glastuinbouw Nederland (ornamentals and vegetables)
• Mr L. Oprel, LNV – DAK (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality)
• Vacancy (trade union, social aspects)
• Mr E. Dijkman, CLM Research and Advice BV (environment)
• Mr R. van Marrewijk, in a personal capacity (floriculture growers)
• Mr H. Reijngoud, Intratuin (retail)
• Mr F. Jonk, Royal FloraHolland (sales of ornamental horticulture)
• Mr W. van Zonneveld, Floricultura (starting material ornamental horticulture)
• Mr J. van Leeuwen, LTO (trees and perennials)
• Ms E. Vlaming, KAVB (bollenteelt)

MPS has the ambition to contribute to making the global horticulture sector more sustainable, for example by reducing the environmental impact of crop protection products, among other things, chain-wide.

FSI‘s international sustainability network is growing rapidly, and so are other (national) sustainability initiatives such as IMVO, in which the government plays a prominent role. More and more partners throughout the horticulture chain are joining in because they see that together they can move forward. MPS supports the sector’s ambition through knowledge and tools.