We have nothing to hide, do we?

The words of the new LTO chairman, Marc Calon, are not universal good earth† In a response, he adds some nuance and explains the interview in the AD further.

'It is important that you meet the strictest requirements sooner, because the consumer asks you to. And we farmers are very smart, innovative and adapt quickly. Dutch farmers are certainly the best in the world. We can be proud of this and propagate it much more.'

'I don't see interested consumers as a threat, but rather as an opportunity to show what we do. We produce excellent products and the way we do that, we can best share with the consumer. We have nothing to hide, do we?'

'For the farmer, this means that he takes into account the citizen and the gut feelings in society. So it is not only ratio that determines your image, but also the image. For example, I will not spray along the village on Saturdays when people are sitting in their garden. Even though I am certified and my sprayer and the crop protection products have been tested. I'd rather look for another time. Everyone understands that.'

'That's why I think we sometimes have to be a little harder on ourselves. Our industry can only survive if consumers have the confidence that we make good food. But there are always a few farmers who ruin it for the rest. Then there will be stricter rules and the rest will be in shit. Agriculture must move towards a system of yellow and red cards. Anyone who makes serious mistakes a number of times should no longer be able to be a member with us.'

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