Interview Pieter Grinwis
Proud of the craftsmanship of Minister Schouten
Pieter Grinwis (41) is a policy officer and councilor for the ChristenUnie in the municipality of The Hague. Carla Dik-Faber will not return to the House of Representatives after the elections and Grinwis is the intended new agricultural spokesperson for the party. With a fifth place on the list, there is a good chance that he will soon be able to take a seat on the plush.
You are an intended agricultural spokesperson. What is your affinity with farmers?
"My father had an arable farm with my uncles Goeree-Overflakkee and for a long time I thought that was where my future lay. My youngest brother is now in the process of taking over the company. Whenever possible, I jump on the tractor. In August, September, October I help out, hands are always needed. I feel at home there, although I now live in The Hague myself. With one leg in the city and the other in the countryside, I try to connect those 2 worlds. That is sorely needed. In the city it is easy to say what should be done differently, but they hardly know how much effort it takes to produce food. how big and important that is, and how little you are financially valued for it. I would like to bring that connection into the Chamber. Now it is often a conversation between people who are deaf to each other, but who have many opinions about each other."
What do you want to do for farmers in the House of Representatives?
"Improving the position of farmers throughout the chain: suppliers, buyers, wholesalers and supermarkets. Farmers have had a difficult position for years. If you look at where the large part of the reward goes, it is not to the farmer. At Albert Heijn or Jumbo I pay €1,30 for a kilo of potatoes, and when I come home to the parental company, with a bit of luck they will now leave for 8 cents per kilo.The way is to reach an agricultural agreement with all parties and agreements, if necessary, to be laid down in law. I can't arrange that with a snap of my finger, but I will fight hard for it. I also want clarity offer. The first question from farmers is now: can I be there? Yes, as far as ChristenUnie is concerned, but what we have to get rid of is stumbling from crisis to crisis. A balance must be struck between earning capacity and living environment. And long-term clarity."
ChristenUnie supplied the agriculture minister, Carola Schouten, for this cabinet. Why would someone who is disappointed in the current policy still vote for the ChristenUnie?
"You have to create a future together. And Schouten has always done that: discussing solutions together. Then, despite the disappointment you feel, the ChristenUnie is the party you should be. We will not go try to maintain the status quo at all costs. We are also not the party of: you will halve. We want to cooperate reasonably. I understand very well when you are seriously disappointed. The phosphate crisis in 2015, the nitrogen crisis in 2019, which have all landed on the farmyard.I can say what we stand for: farmers with their heads held high, preferably the next generation too.We live in a fantastic fertile delta, have a fantastic knowledge cluster, with supply companies, research, Wageningen, cooperatives. That can only be maintained if you have sufficiently large agriculture and horticulture. Some things will change. We have to farm in harmony with the living environment, not on the edge of what is just possible."
What are you proud of what Carola Schouten has achieved?
"I am proud of how she has been a minister. She did not babysit, but came up with a circular agricultural vision. I admit that a lot needs to be done to make it concrete. For example, there must be a fight in Europe to have the nitrates directive amended in the EU so that you can use high-quality processed manure as a fertilizer substitute.Another example is making short-term leases less attractive.There is a clear division in Carola's ministry.The first 1,5 years she looked for a sustainable model with the sector. The second part was completely overshadowed by the nitrogen ruling of the Council of State. The Malieveld has sufficed several times. The Nitrogen Act, with the support of the SP to SGP, shows a sample of craftsmanship. With that law and the package of €6 billion for nature restoration and reduction of emissions, something has been achieved politically.A huge achievement.At the same time, I understand the disappointment and v doubt among farmers. But do know: the Nitrogen Act will not disappear. There is a court decision, we must do business in harmony with nature. The leeway does not increase, even if you vote for parties that talk to farmers."
Would you like to hold this ministerial post again?
"Let's first wait for the election results and whether we can sit down at the formation table again. But at the same time: politics is not for scared people, so why not. The minister has been crisis manager for half of her period. It is nice to then work with farmers , banks, suppliers and customers to work on the prospect of a good living. You know that as a Minister of Agriculture the chance of becoming popular is not great. It is not an easy post. By the way, let me become a good Member of Parliament. I hope in that role can really mean something. To ask for space for the craftsmanship of farmers. I hope that the voter offers us that opportunity."
The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has passed on the election programs of 6 parties that have requested this. ChristenUnie, D66 and GroenLinks want to make meat more expensive. Christian Union the most. What's up with that?
"We really want a broad agricultural agreement. If necessary, a levy will be introduced in the supermarket, the proceeds of which will go directly to farmers. In the calculation, this is translated into a surcharge on meat. It is important that this is real money for farmers and not just ends up in the state coffers. For example, 1,1 billion a year becomes available for animal welfare, field margins, environmental performance and the like, and the switch to a more circular model. Now many services that the farmer provides are a kind of expense allowance, not a real reward. with extensification continue to exist. We make vegetables and fruit cheaper. We no longer strive for the lowest possible food prices, the strategy followed since the Second World War. Farmers should no longer lose out in the system, but be able to earn a good living."
You say you are not a party to 'thou shalt halve', but ultimately the result of extensification is a decrease in the number of animals. How much will the livestock shrink as a result?
"Shrinkage will be a consequence of demographics and policy and not a preconceived goal. A large number of over-55s have no farm successor. Stopping farmers is the means to provide space for extensification of young farmers. The end of the story is: slightly fewer farms and animals, but with the prospect of a good sandwich."
Livestock farmers are not the only ones emitting nitrogen. What about industry and aviation?
"Farmers should not be the only ones working to reduce nitrogen emissions. All sectors must cut back. Aviation must also be restricted. Lelystad airport must not be opened. Industry must reduce emissions. We must transfer a liveable land to a new generation. Despite the big task, I look to the future with hope. That should not remain a pious wish, we really must now offer clarity and perspective as a political party. I am highly motivated to commit myself to this and commit myself to it to bite."
Linda van Eekeres
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.