The Netherlands misses out on European agricultural money

"Agricultural policy is not made in The Hague, nor in the province, but in Europe, and the Netherlands is neglecting things there." That is what CDA MEP Annie Schreijer-Pierik said on Thursday 9 November at the annual conference of Nevedi in Putten.

The core of the message was that agriculture is mainly European. That is why farmers should be in Brussels and not so much in The Hague. For example, European crisis funds are available that countries such as Germany and Belgium make better use of than the Netherlands. There are also investment budgets for the conservation of raw materials and for manure processing and processing. "The Netherlands is often too late when the millions are divided," said Schreijer-Pierik.

Money on the kitchen table 
"The money must also end up on the farmer's kitchen table," says Schreijer-Pierik. Otherwise the family farm will disappear and European food production will be eroded. In times of crisis, (feed) cooperatives still make too much profit and that can be done differently.

Furthermore, Schreijer-Pierik said he was pleased that the WTO spoke out this week about antibiotic resistance in the world. According to her, not 20.000, but 700.000 people will die this year due to antibiotic resistance. According to Schreijer-Pierik, antibiotics are still often used preventively in animal feed, as in Germany. "The Netherlands is leading the way in this and is an example for the rest."

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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