Bionext expects organic growth with VAT measure

Biological advocate Bionext assumes that the attention in the next cabinet will shift from circular agriculture to organic agriculture. This is partly due to a measure to abolish the VAT of 9% for organic food.

By abolishing the VAT of 9% for organically produced food, the price difference between organic and conventional food will be reduced in the Netherlands. In addition, a large-scale advertising campaign must be set up about the meaning and values ​​of organic farming. Shifting the focus from circular agriculture to organic farming is more in line with the European 'Farm to Fork' strategy, and the Netherlands has its hands full catching up in the organic sector," according to the organization.

The Netherlands is lagging behind
The organic agricultural area and the consumption of organic products in the Netherlands (in contrast to other European countries) has hardly grown in 10 years and has fluctuated around 3% of the total for years, both for acreage and consumption. However, in the 'Farm to Fork' strategy recently co-presented by the Dutch European Commissioner Frans Timmermans, the European Union sets the target that approximately 25% of food consumption must be organic by 2030 (in 10 years' time).

Presumably, the consumption of organic food in the Netherlands is barely growing, because consumers are not prepared to pay (a lot of) extra money for it. Another reason for the limited growth is that our government controls less than in a country like Denmark, where organic consumption is much higher. Probably the recognizable eco-label of the Danish government, which has been in use since the 90s, explains the lead in organic food.

Future competitive relations
To break the impasse in the Netherlands, Bionext presented a 9-point plan to agriculture minister Carola Schouten and members of the House of Representatives on 10 September (simultaneously with the presentation of the latest trend report). The representative is not concerned about the competitive relationship between organic and conventional if the organic acreage is growing rapidly. "Working together is our starting point. We don't want to oppose the usual in a negative way, but rely on our own strength," says director Michaël Wilde.

Wilde also points out that (in addition to the targets set for the share of organic consumption in 2030) it has also been agreed in the European Union that the use of plant protection products and fertilizers must be considerably reduced.

Large majority want more sustainable
Bionext is convinced that many farmers are willing to change if a higher price is guaranteed. "It was said in Zomergasten that 80% of farmers are prepared to produce more sustainably if there is an income model in return. Everyone benefits from government incentives. The farmer is guaranteed his income, the consumer because it remains affordable. and nature, the environment and climate because the protection is better."

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