The Financieele Dagblad reports that flower export companies are threatening to go to the competition authority NMa unless they have a say on the planned merger between the country’s two biggest flower auction houses, Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer and Flora Holland.

Exporters say the fees charged by the auction houses, which have a virtual monopoly, are too high. Unless tariffs – which add up to 10% to the price of a bunch of flowers – are cut, exporters want the NMa to allow flower and plant nurseries to operate outside the auction system.