Geurts: 'Thousands of farmers will stop'

More than 3.500 livestock farmers in the province of Noord-Brabant will not continue their business between now and 2025. In Gelderland, the number will shrink by 2.700 companies in the same period. This is what Jaco Geurts, agricultural spokesperson for the CDA in the House of Representatives, said on Monday 12 June Knowledge session pigs and politics.

Geurts bases the figures on reports from ING. The largest contraction of the livestock sector will take place in Noord-Brabant and Gelderland. In Zeeland and Limburg, tourism is becoming increasingly important, at the expense of the agricultural sector. 'They find the most room for development in Noord-Holland and Overijssel,' says Geurts.

Rates NVWA
At the meeting, organized by DCA, Geurts discussed the relationship between politics and the agricultural sector. He argued in favor of scrutinizing the rates of the NVWA. 'The costs of the NVWA are high and no one can explain how those rates are established.'

Chairman of the day Henk Bleker spoke up for the supervisor. 'It is better to have a difficult NVWA that does its job well and has a good reputation abroad, than an NVWA that is less difficult and does not do its job well.'

manure fraud
According to Geurts, manure fraud has never really been scientifically proven, but policy is focused on it. He calls on the sector to put a hand in its own bosom. 'Sector remove the bad apples yourself.' 

Livestock Areas Act
Geurts is clear about the new Livestock Areas Act. 'The follow-up study will be published shortly, which should demonstrate the relationship between livestock and public health. Regardless of the outcome, there will be a majority in the House of Representatives to enact the law.' The Act is intended to provide provinces with tools to regulate the number of animals. North Brabant in particular, and now also in Limburg, will want to apply the law. 

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