'Lack of young farmers is a major problem'

The lack of young agricultural entrepreneurs in the Netherlands is a major problem, according to LTO Nederland, the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK) and the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), among others, in response to the new data on business succession. "Support for young farmers is urgently needed in the coming years. Especially with a view to the growing world population and therefore increasing demand for food."

From figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) it is this week showed that only 41% of agricultural companies have a successor. This means that 16.000 agricultural companies with a farm manager aged 55 or older do not yet have a business successor. This news is ringing alarm bells at the various trade associations in the sector. "Just like 4 years ago, the number of stoppages is greater than the growth of the permanent companies and that is a concern for the food production of tomorrow," says Eke Folkerts, director at the NAJK with the Company Takeover portfolio.

Folkerts continues: "The agricultural sector in the Netherlands is responsible for an export value of €94,5 billion. 75% of these products remain in Europe. It is therefore in the interest of both the Netherlands and Europe not to oppose young entrepreneurs, but to encourage them to take over an agricultural business." BBB party leader Caroline van der Plas also sees a gloomy view: "The Netherlands is now rapidly deteriorating."

Complex laws and regulations
Industry organization LTO Nederland also shares the concerns of the NAJK and the BoerBurgerBeweging. "Since young farmers are of great importance to the food supply in our country, it is very important that they get more perspective and that they are supported in their ambitions," said Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of LTO Nederland. Incidentally, he is not necessarily surprised by the low number of company successors. "Many young farmers and horticulturists lack clear future prospects." Like the NAJK and BBB, he is referring to the increasingly complex legislation and regulations in agriculture.

"Farmers in the Netherlands produce cleaner and more sustainably than elsewhere in the world, and yet some parties do not hesitate to dismiss farmers as environmental polluters, animal torturers and poison sprayers," says Van der Plas. "Because the government wants farmers to produce smaller and more sustainable, they are also literally and figuratively driving small family businesses away from their land. Do you think it is strange that young people no longer see any benefit in agriculture?!"

In combination with the complex legislation and regulations, according to the party leader, this also ensures that the costs of producing food in the Netherlands are skyrocketing. "While the rules are becoming stricter, farmers also receive too low prices for the food they produce. For 1 kilo of pork, a farmer gets around €1,15, while this goes for €9,82 at Albert Heijn. VanderPlas said. Incidentally, discussions on this subject are taking place today (Thursday, January 14) between the Central Bureau for Food Trade, farmers, the catering industry, the government and various trade associations.

Are there solutions?
According to the trade associations, there are sufficient solutions, but the government is not always willing to listen. "The figures make the need for a 'knowledge center for business acquisition' painfully clear. Taking over a company is not something you do overnight. It is a complex process on both a financial and social-emotional level and requires years of experience. preparation", says Folkerts. "At the same time, there are also many young people who would like to become farmers, but do not have a company at their disposal. In order to bring these successors and transferors in contact with them, we have started the 'Farmer seeks farmer' platform." Nevertheless, NAJK believes that the government can contribute more in this area.

LTO Nederland also believes that substantial investments should be made in the coming years to encourage business takeovers. "Even more than financial support, entrepreneurs need a future perspective and a profitable company. Obstacles must be removed," says Van der Tak. Van der Plas supports this: "As far as I am concerned, new rules should only be introduced if the costs that the entrepreneur must incur are included in the price of the products they supply. Another option is to allow an 'eye for an eye'. adapt: ​​new rules will only be introduced if rules are also abolished." According to the organizations, it is only possible to make the sector interesting for young people again by offering a clear future perspective.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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