Protecting agricultural land, how does it work?

The CDA wants to protect vital agricultural land, which can be read in the agricultural section of the election programme. What does this come down to, when it comes down to it?

Member of Parliament Jaco Geurts received a number of critical questions about this this week from left-wing opposition parties during the parliamentary debate on manure in The Hague. What is vital agricultural land? Does all agricultural land for food production count, and what about flower bulb land?

Living, working and recreation
The CDA wants a protected status for vital agricultural land to safeguard the future of the countryside and food security. In order to achieve this protected status, development areas for agriculture are designated in the new Spatial Planning Policy Document. These areas must have a good balance with space for nature, housing and recreation. The CDA also wants to protect Dutch agricultural technology, agricultural land and vital seed and seed companies against unwanted takeovers from abroad.

Geurts explained the phrases from the election program by pointing out the many interests that play a role in the Netherlands when it comes to filling in the space. "Living, working and recreation. Every square meter is already being used. Our starting point is that in any case the existing agricultural land also remains agricultural land. If it is possible to protect nature, then it is also possible to protect agricultural land."

Housing shortage and agricultural sector
Member of Parliament Laura Bromet of GroenLinks referred to State Secretary Mona Keizer, who in the past, as alderman in the municipality of Broek & Waterland, designated agricultural land in the outlying area as a residential area, suggesting that the CDA with government responsibility will also have to continue to make choices in the future.

In the run-up to the elections to the House of Representatives, the agricultural political debate focuses on the use of space in the countryside in the context of the housing shortage. Last week, PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher sharpened the discussion by stating that residential areas in rural areas can be realized cheaper and faster than infill in cities. As far as the PvdA is concerned, this should not be at the expense of nature. 

agricultural Main structure
The discussion about protecting vital agricultural land is not new. Ever since the introduction of the Ecological Main Structure and the associated Natura 2000 areas in the late 90s, there has been talk of an Agrarian Main Structure. Recently, former politicians and scientists Cees Veerman (CDA) and Rudy Rabbinge (PvdA) argued for the introduction of an Agrarian Main Structure. Louise Fresco, chair of Wageningen UR, is also in favor of an Agricultural Main Structure. According to the proponents, a clear distinction between nature and agricultural areas offers scope for a structural approach to problems in the field of biodiversity, the environment and nitrogen. While there remains prospects for a strong agricultural sector, the increasing demands placed on agricultural land by society can also be met. 

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