Agriculture minister Carola Schouten does not see the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Fisheries (LNV) - in which agriculture and nature are combined - as a split construction. On the contrary. It is her mission to ensure that policy in agriculture and nature benefit from each other. She told this last night (August 16) in VPRO Zomergasten.
To interviewer Janine Abbring, the combination of agriculture and nature comes across as an irreconcilable dilemma in which the ministry and the minister find themselves. "And then you also have the smallest budget of all ministries, wouldn't you much rather have taken care of the Ministry of Social Affairs?"
Also minister of nature
Schouten sees this differently. She is happy that the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has been brought back to life. It is in line with her vision on circular agriculture, in which the region determines the production potential and not the global import and export of raw materials and food. "The farmer's income is paramount, but that can also be supplemented with rewards for biodiversity.
Agriculture and nature can reinforce each other, says Schouten. "If you apply strip cultivation, you have more diversity and at the same time you reduce the use of plant protection products. I am also really a minister of nature. The nitrogen problem really needs to be tackled. Every sector must reduce nitrogen, including agriculture."
This part of the broadcast was not surprising, judging by the estimate of the content given via Twitter:
Schouten also mentioned the use of artificial fertilizer, which she believes increases production too much, reduces the use of organic fertilizer and damages the environment and climate. A professional slip-up. Due to Dutch and European legislation, Dutch livestock farmers are prohibited from using more organic fertilizer from their own farm on their own land. As a result, more fertilizer is used. That is allowed.
Schouten is apparently not exactly aware of this and is therefore hindering the progress of circular agriculture, former NAJK director and livestock farmer Sander Thus tweets.
During the broadcast, the impression also developed that the minister is indeed in a dilemma. The reason is not the revamped Ministry of Agriculture, despite the conflicting interests that are difficult to bridge, but the question of whether it is good enough.
Debt millstone
Schouten did not say whether this concerned her private life, her work as a minister or both. She did show that she is aware that she is hated by farmers, probably knowing that outside a few dozen farmers with tractors had blocked an access road to the media park in Hilversum.
Schouten also tried to describe the struggle she apparently has with implementing short-term government policy, while at the same time keeping an eye on the effect of this policy on people. "Young farmers make a long-term investment that causes huge debts, which do not often occur at such a young age. If you keep hearing that the policy is changing, you will experience that debt as a millstone around your neck."
Schouten also showed that he experienced the tension between the criticism that is constantly directed at the agricultural sector from society and consumers. While the same consumer in the supermarket all too often turns out not to have any extra money for food that is produced in a non-statutory way and therefore costs (the farmer) more money.
Tears in the eyes
She turned the image that she only listens politely and does not listen, but stubbornly carries out her own plans, with this broadcast. She outlined her ongoing search for a balance between implementing policies (including livestock reductions) and doing justice to those affected. It became impressive when she spoke about her faith in Jesus Christ and the feeling of not being good enough, with tears in her eyes. "Maybe I'm too perfectionist. In the eyes of Jesus I'm always loved. God is love."
Farmers Defense Force commented on the broadcast in a tweet as an attempt to polish its image through the State Broadcasting. But on Twitter, expressions of respect for the empathy and vulnerability that the minister showed dominated, also by talking about her private life. That as a young woman she returned from Israel pregnant with no money and no job, and that as a child she lost her father in an accident in a farm machine.
At the end of the broadcast, interviewer Janine Abbring asked if she would like to return as minister. "I'm still thinking about that." Laughing: "A real political answer, right?"
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