Beef farmers are fooling around

Beef farmer Herman Pieter Prangsma Jr. from Ede in Gelderland is furious about the phosphate reduction plan. 'In which sector or sector does it happen that the rules of the game are changed in such a way in a current financial year? Nowhere.'

Prangsma currently has 30 beef cows. After its renovation, it has room for more than 150 broiler cows. He also has 100 hectares of arable farming. 

Why are you angry about the phosphate reduction plan?
'In which branch or sector does it happen more often that the rules of the game are changed in a current financial year? nowhere. I feel overwhelmed by the phosphate rules. I am also mainly angry with LTO. They did not anticipate what was to come. In business, this kind of failure would lead directly to dismissal. I still run the business with my father. The process for the company takeover has already started, but will be considerably delayed by these regulations. I'm already on the starting blocks, but I can't run away just yet. We farmers let ourselves be messed with too much.'

You also produce manure. Why should beef cattle farmers get an exception?
'The beef sector is a very small sector, which is at the forefront of sustainable meat production. In general, they are land-based companies that have closed the mineral cycle on the farm or can easily close it. They are also rarely natural farmers. I myself am in the middle of a nature reserve. So I don't have a medicine cabinet for my cows and the vet is rarely needed. I mainly sell my meat to private individuals, restaurants and regular trade.'

You also benefit from the derogation.
'That's right. I just don't use it. Phosphate is the problem and the derogation is intended to use more nitrogen. I don't need that. Dairy farming has an interest in this, but beef cattle farming does not. I grant every dairy farmer the number of cows he wants, but the phosphate problem is their problem.'

How do you see the future of your company?
'On the reference date mentioned, 15 December 2016, I had 30 pasture cows walking. I have been busy renovating the stable for the past year. I want to make room for 150 cows. That is why I had 'only' 30 cows walking last year. In the future I want to focus more on the production of sustainable quality meat. I want to sell that to restaurants, catering and private individuals. I also want to open a restaurant on the farm. I don't know how things will go now. After all, I'm still working on financing the company takeover first.'

What do you expect from the new cabinet?
'I hope Rutte can finish his job and the agricultural posts will be filled by the VVD or CDA ministers. I do have a hard head about it if GroenLinks joins the government. There is a lot of talk about that at the moment. I expect a lot from dairy farmer Maurits von Martels who enters the House of Representatives with preferential votes. I hope he has a clear vision. It would also be good if the new State Secretary was advised by good, young farmers instead of all kinds of people like Nijpels. I have had my fill of all the former ministers who afterwards know how to do it. I want a minister of agriculture who fights for farmers with the aim of healthy products, good trade and a sustainable nature policy. A ministry that is proud of the farmers in the Netherlands.'

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