News Drought 2018
LTO follows in call for support due to drought
Many advocacy groups, political parties and organizations have already spoken out about the plight of agricultural entrepreneurs. That is why they are now coming up with a package of crisis measures.
According to LTO Nederland, it is the first time that national crisis measures have been proposed due to drought. The package of requirements is divided into two: technical and economic measures.
The measurements
The technical measures consist of 5 points: no further tightening of irrigation prohibitions and regulations, extending the spreading period, more time to sow catch crops, the possibility of tearing grassland and more water intake. The longer spreading of slurry has already been brought forward brought by LTO Nederland and the Producers Organization Pig Farming.
In addition, 4 economic measures have been proposed: some leniency from the potato processing industry, ensuring that the Broad Weather Insurance is made more attractive, a relaxation of tax payments (such as deferral of income tax) and not cutting back on herb-rich grass margins.
Next role
LTO Nederland is thus following the call of other organizations. Jaap van Wenum, foreman of LTO Akkerbouw, already announced at the end of July challenges Boerenbusiness know that it wants to meet with the potato industry if delivery obligations are jeopardized. The Dutch Arable Farming Union (NAV) and VTA also have a position taken† VTA also hopes that 2018 will be seen as a turning point and that potato growers will grow less under contract, on better terms.
The insurance tax, which is levied on the Broad Weather Insurance, is a thorn in the side of the sector. However, also with the insurers. Jan Schreuder, director of Vereinigte Hagel, calls politicians to take action.
VVD active
From the political point of view, the VVD is active with regard to drought measures. At the end of July, Helma Lodders and Jan Huitema asked questions posed how livestock farming can be helped. Additional questions to the minister will follow on Wednesday 1 August. It points out, among other things, that sowing mandatory green manures is currently of little use. They argue for an exemption from sowing.
CDA members are also busy with the drought problem, member of parliament Jaco Geurts confirms. "The CDA is of the opinion that Schouten must respond quickly to the proposals, including from LTO Nederland. She must seriously consider which measures are appropriate in the short term. You see movements in other European countries. It cannot be the case that the level playing field coming under further pressure."
Lower deductible
In addition to direct measures, the CDA believes that the Broad Weather Insurance should be made more attractive (for example, lower the deductible and remove the insurance intention). "Farmers provide our food, are a relatively small market player and dependent on the weather. That is reason enough to take action," says Geurts.
Employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) left Monday 30 July already to Brussels to discuss the situation. The ministry confirms on 1 August that talks about the drought measures are still ongoing. More about this will be announced shortly.
Niels van der Boom
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