Interview Helma Lodders
'Innovations must be much better supported'
Helma Lodders is the new chairman of Vee&Logistiek Nederland. She succeeds Henk Bleker. Lodders left the House of Representatives in March as VVD agricultural spokesperson, but was subsequently in the news because of her critical attitude in the allowance affair when the minutes of the Council of Ministers were made public. Boerenbusiness spoke to Lodders about her new job and looks back on these eventful weeks with her.
Helma Lodders herself announced last year that she did not want to enter the House of Representatives for a new term of 4 years. In the end, she was active as a member of parliament for the VVD for 11 years. She was involved in the themes of agriculture, food quality and matters relating to the tax authorities. Although the allowance affair has been most covered in the media, Lodders also stood her ground in matters relating to agriculture. For example, she continued to ask questions about the inefficient operation of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority: "They have come to the wrong place to ask if I can sing a little lower."
A completely different role for you as chairman of Vee en Logistiek Nederland, the trade association for companies active in the livestock trade and transport. What exactly are the interests you will be fighting for?
"First of all, I will study the files in the near future and get to know the members of the board well. This will undoubtedly lead to points for attention that require attention. It is a sector in which mostly family businesses are active, which together generate around €5 billion in turnover. That's something I'm going to emphasize in any case: it's a sector that matters and that also wants to do it in a good way.Before I can really stand up for these companies, I first dive into the files. "
Despite the fact that you are now a Member of Parliament, you were extensively in the news a few weeks ago. In the released minutes about the allowance affair, you were called 'not very helpful', among other things. How do you look back on that now?
"When I read that I was labeled as critical, which I also thought myself, I certainly saw that as a compliment. That's why I came to The Hague. This allows me to bridge the gap between society and politics. being called an activist, I found it difficult to read, especially because I have never been asked the question from the cabinet: 'Are we overlooking something? Include us in your interpretation of the facts'. Moreover, this was not only the case in the allowance affair. For example, together with colleague Jacco Geurts from the CDA, I was very critical about the inefficiency of the NVWA and the costs that this entails for entrepreneurs. to experience."
You yourself have decided not to run for a new term in the House of Representatives. You have not experienced any pressure to do so?
"No definitely not."
And there is confidence in the VVD and party leader Mark Rutte?
"Absolutely. I am a member and will remain a member of the VVD. We have tried to bring certain files to the table. Files in which I, but also fellow MPs, felt that things did not go well. Of course, these matters are discussed, but that is not to say that everything also goes wrong with all other files. It is now important to learn lessons. In particular about the way in which things have gone wrong in files where things have not gone well. I see and hear that the cabinet, including Mark Rutte, now look back critically to see what they can learn from that. They want to share more information in the future. Those are important elements to improve."
Are entrepreneurs in agri and food still at the right place at the VVD, looking at parties such as BoerBurgerBeweging, JA21 and Forum for Democracy that also want to bind agricultural entrepreneurs?
"Of course we faced major challenges. Issues that also required solutions and actions that were not always fun. It started of course with the phosphate exceedances, for which the phosphate rights system was created. Then came the nitrogen file, in which hard nuts must also be had to be squatted. So at certain moments something had to be done. If you do not come to a solution, you are further from home. I fully understand that these may not always be measures that the sector was cheering for, but they were I understand that this made agricultural entrepreneurs wonder: do I still feel at home with the party? Personally, I have always tried to emphasize the importance of agriculture and I hope that the new agricultural spokespersons can find each other well. being able to make a sound heard together. Ultimately, you cannot achieve much alone and cooperation is necessary."
Has the political say of the agricultural Netherlands diminished now that more 'farmer's seats' are fragmented on the right, with parties that probably fall outside the cabinet?
"First of all: it is good for the sector that the sound is heard, but I don't know if you will achieve much with just an activist tone. Of course you have to clearly state what you stand for and you have to put your fist on the table I have done that many times in recent years. Ultimately it is about representing the interests of the sector and ensuring that you are working on good policy. Is fragmentation good? Only you do not do much, but we have 3 parties with 1 seat. So added together, you get somewhere, of course. Moreover, I think that these parties can keep politics sharp."
Did you yourself experience enough room to voice a critical voice from within the faction of a government coalition?
"That is certainly how I experience it. They are also at the wrong place when I am asked to lower the tone. The reason that I was so critical of files such as the NVWA and the allowance affair, for example, is that I sincerely believe that there are things are not going well. I have always had the space to address and name these problems and I do not feel sensitized at all. I recognize the importance of the coalition, but that does not mean that you should not ask critical questions. always felt free to say the things I wanted to say."
Has your critical attitude towards the NVWA also yielded results?
"Certainly. We have also been in continuous discussion about this and I have always continued to point out the problems. In my view, the NVWA is not the efficient organization it should be. As a government, you have a duty to be frugal with money that our companies. If the NVWA does not operate properly, the costs are simply passed on to the entrepreneurs. That is not correct. The result that we have now achieved is that passing on €10 million extra NVWA costs through higher rates is not possible have been passed on to the sector."
Tip for the new Minister of Agriculture?
"Go into the country. Talk to entrepreneurs. Be curious and see what they encounter. The conversation must be intensified to create mutual understanding. Then, based on that, a long-term vision must be developed. Indicate a direction and give an entrepreneur the time and financial scope to realize this. Everything must be able to be paid for. Provide, for example, tax regulations and a revenue model to be able to achieve objectives."
Is it the task of the government to realize a revenue model?
"No, it is not. However, it is important that the government looks at it. If it turns out that entrepreneurs cannot recoup certain costs in the market, it may also mean that we are going too fast. taken in decision-making."
Do you have the idea that the ministry has the idea that agriculture in particular should do more in the nitrogen dossier?
"That is difficult to say. That feeling is there and I understand that. Of course you mainly see what is happening in your sector and then it seems as if little is going on in other sectors. However, I am convinced that when after this conversation you call entrepreneurs in other sectors that they experience the same thing. I do think that recognition is lacking for everything that has already been done in the agricultural sector. That can be said once. If you elaborate on that, it is also better to start a conversation: dude, you are doing well as a sector, but we still have to take a few last steps together."
So clear objectives need to be set for the sector?
"The government should not want to innovate itself. That doesn't work. They have to say: we want to work towards this. Innovative farmers, horticulturists, but also from related sectors should certainly pick up the gauntlet. A clear objective in combination with financial/fiscal incentives can then set a lot in motion. I then also argued for an innovation envoy. He can play a coordinating role to get innovations approved quickly. We too often see that procedures surrounding the acceptance of innovations are much too cumbersome and slow. does not of course trigger entrepreneurship. The government really has a role to play here: to facilitate these things quickly. Innovation is in the genes of entrepreneurs in this country. Now there are too many restrictions, making many developments unnecessary for a long time There must be more incentive to innovate: shorter procedures and less bureaucracy, but also a realistic financial perspective †
Steve Wissink
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