Interview Annie Schreijer-Pierik
'The Hague has a hidden farmer-unfriendly agenda'
In the run-up to the European parliamentary elections on Thursday 23 May, Boerenbusiness daily 6 agricultural questions for people with a vision on European agricultural policy. Today that is Annie Schreijer-Pierik, the MEP on behalf of the CDA and member of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Do you want more or less European agricultural policy for the Dutch farmer?
"I am in favor of a new and more performance-oriented agricultural policy. The frameworks for this were adopted within the Agriculture Committee in April, but the interpretation of the National Strategic Plan must be different. The various eco-regulations that are now imposed via the European agricultural policy can also be implemented nationally. This is now especially important, because agricultural policy is going to less than €56 billion per year, or possibly 5% less in the period 2021 to 2027. I think that the 20% to 25% for the national implementation of ecosystems in Pillar 1 is as much may have to go to the farmers."
"We want to work towards a system of incentive payments for social services, instead of the current rigid regulations. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must above all be preserved for food security and income support. There must also be fewer regulations and rules, but there must be "We must be vigilant, especially in the Netherlands, that farmers' money also remains farmer's money."
If we look at the Common Agricultural Policy, should there be a hectare premium or not?
"You have to keep the income support through direct payment entitlements: 60% from the first pillar for direct income support. After all, other European countries will not abandon this either. More than 25% of the family income of Dutch farmers depends on the hectare premium, in combination with other premiums, so the farmers desperately need the money."
"We have already achieved a regulation for the common market organisation. This has also made money available for producer organizations and for chain power in horticulture and intensive livestock farming. That is important, but the hectare support will also remain for the arable sector and We also want to reward farmers according to performance for their green and blue ecosystem services fairly and in line with the market."
Looking at the implementation of the chain report by Cees Veerman: how do you achieve a 'level playing field' in the European Union?
"Sometimes direct reference is made to the considerable differences in hectare aid between the Member States. However, these differences are there for a reason. This is partly due to the fact that there is a difference in labor costs per Member State. We may want it within the Netherlands. "We do have to equalize more, but not within Europe. We will throw the ass against the crib if the hectare support is equalized in Europe: the Dutch farmer is the victim of this."
"Veerman's supply chain report mainly focused on the market power and earning capacity of farmers and horticulturists. I worked with European Commissioner Phil Hogan on a new European directive for tackling unfair trading practices in the food chain. I believe that farmers should receive a fair price. Our rules therefore prohibit the pinching of farmers and the abuse of market power by multinational buyers. We have been able to prevent the farmer-friendly position of the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development from being weakened in favor of the supermarkets. The Netherlands is now obliged to adopt this directive into national law."
Is the Brussels power with regard to the authorization of plant protection products too great?
"No. I think this should be arranged in Brussels as much as possible. Fortunately, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is leading in most cases in Brussels. In Dutch politics, it is often not about the facts, but about emotion. Neonicotinoids are now banned in one go, while Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) could also have opted for a temporary exemption and transition period.
"Fortunately, there is a more realistic response in Brussels. This is also reflected in the blunders that the Dutch government has made with the system of phosphate rights. The dairy sector is being duped by the current implementation of Dutch policy and not by Brussels. The Netherlands is often stricter than that. "Brussels. There is a farmer-unfriendly hidden agenda in The Hague. Farmers' toolboxes must remain stocked, otherwise you cannot grow anything. That is why Brussels must come up with a quick authorization procedure for green, low-risk crop protection products."
What should be made a spearhead in Brussels agricultural policy?
"The maintenance of the family business must become and remain the guiding principle. These families ensure that we are not dependent on multinationals for food supply. The social situation also plays a role within the family business, so that agriculture is a conscious part of society. also came back in the discussions about yellow fields due to glyphosate. I defend a renewed authorization of glyphosate. Also because farmers tell me that it gives a negative image. I also think that the family business provides employment, facilities, landscape and nature management."
Which myth about the European Parliament is not correct in your view?
"Dutch farmers think that production made on the basis of animal manure (mineral concentrate) will soon be allowed to be used everywhere in our country, above the placement space for animal manure from the Fertilizers Act and Nitrates Directive. However, nothing is on paper yet. In 2017 I have submitted an amendment to the Nitrates Directive, but that was blocked by the various Member States and the European Commission. An oral promise by a European Commissioner therefore has no legal value. It must be in black and white, otherwise you will get the same drama as with the innovative pulse fishing That admission was even written into a bill."
"Another myth: parties that are large in The Hague are influential in Brussels. That is not true. The VVD and D66 may be large in The Hague, but jointly form the liberal ALDE group (a small fourth group) in Brussels. As CDA, however, we belong to the largest group. Incidentally, I like to work together, I do not need the credit. In European politics you cannot achieve anything alone. You also have to be patient."
Anne-Jan Doorn
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