SER: Compromises needed for agricultural agreement

An agricultural agreement can only succeed if the parties are prepared to make compromises and commit to agreements. The SER's scouts concluded this on the basis of almost 50 conversations with the parties involved.

Outgoing Minister of Agriculture Carola Schouten had asked the Social and Economic Council (SER) for an exploration as a first step towards a possible agreement. This in response to a motion of the House of Representatives on the initiative of Roelof Bisschop (SGP).

An agricultural agreement is needed to accelerate towards economically, ecologically and socially sustainable agriculture, says the SER. "With long-term, predictable and coherent policies, mutual trust can be restored and long-term investments are possible."

'Turning polarized relationships into a positive story'
The discussions show that many of the discussion partners see an agricultural agreement as a good opportunity to turn the polarized relationships between farmers, government, supply chain and society into a positive story focused on concrete future perspectives, according to the SER. 

According to the advisory body, the agreement can be built up from various transition paths: high-tech agriculture in closed and open systems, sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture, social enterprises, nature/landscape management and stopping the company. "The earning capacity of the farmer and the position and training of employees within the sector deserve special attention. Existing sector plans and other initiatives can form building blocks." 

According to the SER, the government must be a full participant in the agreement and must make sufficient resources available (regulations, finances) to be able to implement the agreement. The Council also believes that a broad and diverse representation of those involved is needed, with an emphasis on young farmers. In addition, the SER states that participants must have sufficient legitimacy and mandate from their supporters and that the parties that make agreements are responsible for the implementation of the agreements.

Politics now on
Katrien Termeer, chair of the exploratory committee and crown member of the SER: "It is now up to politicians to determine the form and preconditions for such an agreement. looks for existing legal frameworks and does not focus on just one problem. Only then can a future-proof perspective be developed."

Linda van Eekeres

Linda van Eekeres is co-writing editor-in-chief. She mainly focuses on macro-economic developments and the influence of politics on the agricultural sector.

l.vaneekeres@boerenbusiness. Nl

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