On 1 August 2021, a new version of the MPS-ABC standard comes into effect: MPS-ABC v16.1. Although some changes have been made to a number of criteria in this version, this does not mean that the requirements have been tightened up. For growers who are already fully compliant with v16, the new version will not require any changes to be made to working methods. The new standard can be found here.
The main changes in MPS-ABC v16.1 compared with the current version are as follows:
Rented and contract cultivation
Records for rented and contract cultivation sites can be entered once every four weeks instead of on an application basis.
Storage of non-authorised agents
If agents cannot be disposed of in an appropriate manner, they may remain on the premises under certain conditions.
IPM plan
The participant does not have to provide images of pests themselves, but can refer to tools, databases, posters or other information sources.
Purchase of additional end products
Additional end products purchased can have a lower qualification than your company qualification, provided this is clearly visible to the customer.
General Information Form
It is not necessary to review the information form annually, although it must be up-to-date at all times.
Purchase of starting material
You are only required to keep records of starting material if you want to qualify for the additional qualification points. You can either keep these records in the MPS record-keeping environment or in your own accounting system.
Stock
The requirements for the use of the stock module are being dropped because it is an optional module.
Water usage
Water usage is recorded per period instead of on the date of application.
Chemical soil disinfection
The entire chemical soil disinfection arrangement is being dropped.
Additionally, the sanction policy in MPS-ABC v16.1 has been made clearer to prevent NQ status from being imposed too soon if a small part of your records is missing. This adjustment will give you more time to add to records before this has any real impact on your qualification status.
Over 30 years ago, my journey at MPS began after I saw an advertisement in the newspaper. After the birth of my daughter, I was looking to return to work and joined the data entry department. At the time, all data was still entered manually from paper forms. Since then, I have seen the organisation grow and change, and I have grown along with it.Today, I work in the Service & Support department. No two days are the same: one day I help a customer with questions about record-keeping, the next I help them understand requirements from the auction or the UO. It is precisely this variety and the personal contact with customers that make my work interesting every day.
In 2008, I joined MPS through a recruitment agency as a secretary. I then held various positions within MPS and MPS-ECAS, including roles in the Service & Support team and as a planner. In 2018, I left the organisation for a while, but in 2023 I returned to MPS-ECAS as a back-office employee. The people are simply too much fun and the world of ornamental horticulture is so innovative that it kept drawing me back. Shortly afterwards, I started working at MPS as Coordinator Netherlands.
During the final year of my Environmental Sciences degree, I joined MPS for an internship. The internship worked out so well for both sides that I was able to stay afterwards. It felt like a natural next step, because I immediately felt at home here and was given the opportunity to continue developing myself.My work is very varied. I work on different projects and products, carry out research and analyses and contribute to practical solutions. I also manage various systems, support customers with complex technical questions and work with external parties. It is precisely this combination that makes my work interesting and ensures that no two weeks are the same.
I first joined MPS through a friend who worked in MPS’s student team. I continued working here while studying Commercial Economics, and at the end of my studies, in 2004, MPS asked if I wanted to join the organisation permanently. It seemed like a great opportunity, and more than twenty years later, I am still here.No two days are the same, and that is exactly what makes my work so enjoyable. A large part of my week consists of project meetings and translating needs from within the organisation into practical solutions. Thursday afternoon is a regular fixture, which I set aside with a colleague to make MPS 1% better every week. For example, we experiment with AI, build prototypes, improve processes or develop new ideas. The goal is always to work smarter and create more value for colleagues, customers and the organisation.