Rabobank wants a Minister of Food and Landscape

Rien Nagel, member of the Executive Board of Rabobank, argues in favor of a Minister of Food and Landscape. He said this on Friday at a meeting for Dutch agricultural journalists in Utrecht.

Nagel calls on the political parties, which are negotiating for a new cabinet, to set up a separate department that mainly focuses on food and landscape. Nagel: 'We need a strong ministry that only focuses on food and landscape.'

Sectoral Approaches
Rabobank has opted for a sector-oriented approach. This was chosen because of the fragmentation of the farmers' lobby, the lack of strength and authority of farmers, the dismantling of product boards, the mismatch between supply and demand and the lack of a powerful ministry.

The bank believes that the importance of a broad sector-oriented approach is underexposed. The government offers farmers less protection in the event of calamities. In addition, market protection is diminishing and globalization is increasing. The government must also offer farmers protection there. 

Focus on agri and food sectors
In the global banking market, Rabobank focuses on the agri and food sectors. 'The increasing protectionism is not in the Netherlands' favor,' claims Rien Nagel.

The more intense peaks and troughs in market prices demand more from our agricultural entrepreneurs. Nagel: 'We also want to be there for the farmers in times of a price drop. It's important that farmers don't get nervous when things aren't going well.'

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