LTO: Agriculture comes off badly in Budget Memorandum

According to LTO Nederland, the challenges within the agricultural sector are insufficiently answered in the budget of the caretaker cabinet just presented. That is why the interest group has sent a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives with the 5 biggest challenges and a number of solutions.

"We lack a sense of urgency in this Budget Memorandum. Agricultural incomes are under pressure and there is great uncertainty among farmers and horticulturists. Many demands end up on the farm: nitrogen, climate and water quality. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find employees Our expertise in animal and plant health is being restricted. Our entrepreneurs have solutions for this. But The Hague is lagging behind," said Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of LTO Nederland.

LTO makes the following proposals to a outgoing or new cabinet: 

• Invest €1 million in pilots for future-oriented chains to improve the earning capacity of farmers and market gardeners.
• Prevent further delays in the nitrogen dossier and budget €2022 billion in 1,7 to get out of the impasse, in line with the widely supported plan for Sustainable Balance.
• Give entrepreneurs the opportunity to build up a fiscal climate and disaster reserve to absorb damage caused by, for example, extreme weather.
• Get started with the careful introduction of the Nutri-Score food choice logo, and let farmers and horticulturists contribute to a healthier diet and the next Prevention Agreement.
• Facilitate the Delta Plan on Agricultural Water Management, in which water boards work together on cleaner and sufficient water and a better soil; and use a 10-point plan From manure policy to soil management instead of the unachievable, disruptive and unaffordable 7th Action Programme.
• Due to the seasonal production, the agricultural and horticultural sector offers an exceptional position when pricing flexible contracts and allows labor migrants from outside the EU for a maximum period of 9 months.

Earning power
"In recent years, the House of Representatives has already seen earning capacity in the agricultural sector as one of the most important tasks. However, this has not led to improvements," said Mr. the letter† "We therefore challenge you not to make a policy in the new parliamentary year that will cost farmers and horticulturists more money than it generates."

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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