News Politics
Historic youth pact sends a signal to politics
Young farmers and horticulturists lack the preconditions for their companies that are necessary to contribute to social issues such as nitrogen and climate. This became apparent this morning during an online meeting with the agricultural committee of the House of Representatives, where 14 youth councils of cooperatives in agriculture and horticulture and the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK) presented their political wish list.
"What we want in a new cabinet is an eye for the necessary long-term perspective," said NAJK chairman Roy Meijer, who calls it historic that so many sectors have joined forces. The young people have drawn up a manifesto.
What's on the wish list: automatic compensation for policy changes, target policy, limiting the conversion of their land to other uses, working together at a fair price, major investments in agricultural education and maintaining the Farm Succession Scheme (BOR) and the agricultural exemption to prevent farm takeovers to keep it manageable.
Major dossiers: nitrogen and climate
Tjeerd de Groot (D66) says that he thinks it is very good that the emphasis is placed on the processing industry, 'the parties that can start earning money for the primary sector'. However, he misses 'the big files' in the manifesto: nitrogen and climate. "We know that we have to go the extra mile and we also know that we will not achieve the Water Framework Directive. That requires more thinking than I initially heard. I miss the urgency a bit, because those problems will not go away."
Meijer explains why these files are not included in the manifesto. "This is the vision we need to get there. We also want to contribute to the solution, but you need preconditions to make a contribution. If we agree, we can discuss how we can implement it. We also have to do with issues from society." Lennaert Haanstra, member of Agrifirm's youth council, adds: "We need time and money to carry out technological development. This has to be done within a normal time frame and with realistic goals."
Derk Boswijk, Member of Parliament on behalf of the CDA, states: "There are very big spatial questions: housing, energy transition, nature. Agriculture should not be the final element in this. We want to move towards land-relatedness, which requires more space. Follow-up is also close to my heart. If we don't do something about that, we'll have a big problem. You are very enthusiastic, that makes me very happy, but many farmers see no perspective because of rules that only increase and margins that decrease." He agrees with Meijer's words that the farmer should not be seen as a problem, but as part of the solution."
Unit 'beautiful and special'
Roelof Bisschop (SGP) thinks it is 'beautiful and special' that so many organizations have signed the manifesto and wants to know whether there are also parties that have ultimately decided against it. That does not appear to be the case. According to Meijer, NAJK and Agrifirm had the dream of bringing the youth councils together, and they succeeded. Bishop also wants to know whether the manifesto is already known to the SER, which is implementing a motion to reach an agricultural agreement. The NAJK has already held a meeting and will also offer the manifesto there.
Barriers
The young people raise a number of obstacles in their manifesto. For example, there are national regulations and extra-statutory requirements, as a result of which the young people feel that their competitive position in relation to other European farmers and horticulturists is under pressure.
In addition, they mention 'unfounded statements and politics of the compass' that dominate political and public discussions. "There is a lack of appreciation for our products, knowledge and services. Strong competition for land and environmental space threatens our raison d'être." Finally, the young people feel threatened in their raison d'être by 'strong competition for land and environmental space'.
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.