'Good position of farmer important in CAP'

"Farmers must get a stronger position in the chain. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must also contribute to this," said Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) at the meeting 'The CAP out of the starting blocks'. 

According to Minister Schouten, sustainable production is important, but this must be matched by a fair income. "Otherwise it will also end for the farmer." According to Schouten, it cannot be the case that farmers only work on social goals (such as biodiversity). "There must also be broad support for this from the CAP."

Stronger position is needed
That is why a stronger position for farmers is needed, argues Schouten. "It is important that farmers work together, even if they are each other's competitors and have different visions." The role of the chain is also important, according to Schouten. Martijn Buijsse (FarmUP): "Not much is being done from the retail and further chain to strengthen the position of the farmer. Why is it possible from Europe, but not from Albert Heijn?"

According to Schouten, it is important that a level playing field remains within Europe, but that it is not only important to look at how much money the different countries receive. According to Schouten, attention should also be paid to the question; what do you get that money for?

protein transition
The role of the protein transition is also mentioned in the CAP. Jaap van Wenum (ZLTO) argued that the production of vegetable protein in the European Union is not getting off the ground. This is because European farmers cannot compete with vegetable protein products from South America.

The ministry has promised that a response will be forthcoming from the European Union shortly. There should also be more support for this from the CAP, argued from the audience. 

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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