Farmer's son who limited unbridled growth

Gerrit Braks has meant more to Dutch agriculture than is apparent in many memoriams. For example, the former CDA politician and agriculture minister is seen as an example of the polder model and he contributed to the position of Dutch agriculture in the world. Despite the fact that he was responsible for the implementation of the milk quota agreed at the EU level.

Braks passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84. The farmer's son from Odiliapeel in Brabant was a minister at the Ministry of Agriculture for 10 years almost continuously. David Luteijn, VVD party leader and spokesperson for agriculture and fisheries in the 80s, speaks of a passionate man. “He had to take a lot of difficult measures, which not everyone understood. You noticed this at meetings, for example; In the beginning there was mistrust in the room, but because he was of peasant descent, he had the gift of communicating policy well to the grassroots.”

Example of the polder model
Luteijn appreciates Braks for his practical knowledge, pleasant dealings and European experience. “In an EU context, Braks has played a special role. At that time, the agricultural foremen held intensive monthly consultations with the ministry. Not everyone always agreed, but Braks always showed understanding for the situation. An example of the later polder model. This has partly formed the basis for the position of Dutch agriculture in the world.”

Top driver
About the conflict that led to Braks' departure from agriculture, Luteijn says: "Everyone agreed that it was very sad and completely undeserved." After 9 years of agriculture ministership for the CDA, Braks had to resign when the PvdA withdrew its confidence in him because of the fisheries affair.

The fishing affair was about the suspected fraud by fishermen. They caught more than they should, and the supervision of this by the Ministry of Braks would have been inadequate. “That early departure hurt him. In addition to being a minister, however, he was also a top executive. That is why he was later asked back for CDA and agricultural positions. The most beautiful came at the end of his career as acting mayor of Eindhoven.”

Iinfluence in Europe
Braks' successor on agriculture was Piet Bukman, whose first task was to ensure that the fishery is in order. Although they had no business connection, the two knew each other well. Bukman is a CDA politician and comes from a horticultural family. He made a career in the Christelijke Land- en Tuinbouwbond before he succeeded Braks in 2 and became Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1990, succeeding Deetman. “Braks has had a lot of influence on agricultural policy. As Agriculture Council in Brussels, he was closely involved in the discussion about the revision of European agricultural policy. He is sometimes compared to Mansholt, I don't know if he liked that, but he just had a lot of influence on the course of things."

Fundamental decisions 
He was practical too. “Braks wanted solutions. Striving for ideals in politics is always difficult. Often it is necessary to work with workable solutions. Braks has made fundamental decisions and implemented them successfully.” That's how he got through the milk quota. “Farmers with a short-term view were not waiting for the quota, but Braks persisted. He thought it was necessary and strongly defended it in Dutch political circles and in the farming world.” A world in which he had a lot of authority. That is a plus in agriculture.”

Photo: Gerrit Braks in 2002 (ANP)

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