Interview Tjeerd de Groot
'Fairytales that it can be done without halving livestock'
The man who wants to halve the livestock does not need more introduction these days, Member of Parliament Tjeerd de Groot (52). His statement was the direct cause of the farmers' protests a year and a half ago. Boerenbusiness asks the number 8 on the list of D66 about his vision.
You were director of the Dutch Dairy Organization. As 'the man who wants to halve the livestock', do you still have some good contact with farmers?
"Yesterday I spoke to many dozens of them in Staphorst - corona proof - so that is certainly still the case. Initially there was a critical response, but if they take the time to hear the whole story, there will also be a moment when they say that they also see that intensive livestock farming of pigs and chickens cannot go on like this."
There are now more parties that are talking about shrinking the livestock. But the other governing parties VVD, CDA and ChristenUnie do not want that. What do you think about that?
"Actually, they are throwing sand in the eyes of the farmers with this. CDA reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 46% in 2030 compared to 1990, VVD 41% according to calculations. They therefore do not adhere to the CO2 reduction of the climate agreement of 49%. Let alone that they will meet the task that will still come from Brussels. The same applies to nitrogen. And we also already know that we will not meet the Water Framework Directive. Increase in scale is the only model for CDA and VVD. A policy of 20 years of porridge "We have a long-term vision and will also make choices about European agricultural support. And the revenue model is also problematic."
"We agree that farmers should not be forced to stop. Many have no successor. In addition, we would especially like to work with farmers. The approach is voluntary, but we are just putting a lot more money behind it. We will attract €11 billion more for out. CDA skims animal rights. VVD and CDA tell fairy tales that it can be done without halving the livestock. They have believed in innovation for 40 years, but farming is already very efficient."
Is there still room for farms to expand?
"If that means a possible jump in scale, I am very reluctant to do so. If we continue on the same footing, the sector will become more intensive and companies will become twice as large. There are limits and we have to identify them together. What VVD and CDA want means halving the farming population within 2 to 10 years, we just want to keep farmers."
If D66 starts ruling with these parties again, which is not inconceivable, will it then be possible to reach agreement on agricultural policy in the next cabinet?
"We will see. We have taken major steps. This cabinet has written that the current model is no longer tenable. A vision for the future for circular agriculture has been laid down, a climate agreement has been concluded and a good start has been made with solving the nitrogen crisis. we have been able to do. Circular agriculture has never been so high on the political agenda."
How do you see the role of retail in the sustainability drive?
"I see that role as a very important one. D66 has also submitted proposals for this that are being elaborated by the ministry. The entire range of supermarkets must be sustainable, including a fair price for farmers. In 2016 it was calculated that €6 per year billion of hidden damage is from agricultural products. The new normal must become: not at the expense of clean air, clean water and biodiversity, nor at the expense of the farmer's income."
The price is the deciding factor for many consumers. How do you realize that supermarkets will voluntarily make their entire range more sustainable?
"If you don't do that, you end up in the list of perverts. The idea is that they report the growth rate at which they do that. It does not look good if you have a meadow milk line for a small part of the range and also This must become the new normal. We also do not want to be undermined by cheap, unsustainable products from abroad. Nor eggs from Ukraine in processed products. There are more and more demands coming from the financial world, from shareholders. is quite difficult, but it would be good to ensure that the government can offer supermarkets and the processing industry that work sustainably, in relation to the government, an advantage."
What is the biggest agricultural challenge in the near future?
"The most important thing is whether we are able to offer a new revenue model together. The current one is bankrupt. That farmers get a fair price and can earn money in more ways. That we get a multifaceted agriculture and horticulture. think of market niches, such as FrieslandCampina with baby food and Kipster with eggs. Export does not have to decrease in value, but in quantity. The Netherlands is one of the most expensive countries, but we also serve a very prosperous market. I do not believe that it is too is willing to pay little for a climate-neutral pork tenderloin."
"I hope that farmers will really choose for their future and that of their children. We want to offer D66 the opportunity to make those choices and to free farmers from the current model in which they are stuck and to do that together."
Linda van Eekeres
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