'Give us today our daily bread'

"The most useful kind of grasses, which provides the staple food of millions of the inhabitants of the civilized world", M. Buysman described the wheat in 1899 in the Album of Nature. Wheat is still the most widely grown cereal in the world. It is the basis for flour and flour, bread and crackers, pasta, couscous, wheat beer and animal feed. Important wheat producers are Russia and Ukraine. Russia is the second largest exporter of wheat, Ukraine the fourth largest, together accounting for a third of exports. Several regions of the world depend on this production, not only Europe but also the Middle East and North Africa.

In 2003, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) put in a working paper that food often becomes a weapon in wars or conflicts. The destruction of rural infrastructure, loss of livestock, deforestation, use of land mines and population displacement lead to long-term food security problems. Ukraine's agricultural land, which is competitive with Russia's, represents a major vulnerability in the ongoing battle between the two countries. Russia benefits from inflicting damage on this acreage because it can strengthen its own position in the trade market, for example towards China. 

The terrible conflict is therefore no longer just about sovereignty of countries and the protection of essential state and fundamental rights, but also about global food security. The first worrisome effects are noticeable; with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, wheat flows came to a halt and the price of wheat rose sharply. The effect on other commodity prices, such as maize, fuel and soy, is now also being felt.

Skilled farmers and chain
The Dutch food system is strongly linked to the European and global food system through trade and investment. Oxfam Novib designated the Netherlands in 2014 as the country with the best food supply in the world. That is not crazy. The Dutch food chain consists of a large share of skilled farmers, high-quality food producers and an intricate network of transport and distribution. We know how to achieve efficient production, including a low climate impact, with the innovative agricultural and food chain. However, this good system is no less vulnerable to external or internal shocks. The invasion of Ukraine comes as pressure from outside. It will be difficult for food producers to obtain raw materials and Dutch consumers will feel the consequences in their wallets.

The worrying thing is that at the same time the ax is being set at the root of food security in the Netherlands from within. The far-reaching plans to overhaul the agricultural sector, buy out farmers and convert fertile agricultural land into natural or landscape land or to cultivate it will inevitably have an effect on the food supply.

Less farmland means fewer farmers
"Give us this day our daily bread" is a prayer that comes from many mouths worldwide every day. But do we realize enough that we are dependent for our food and therefore our basic necessities? No rain means no harvest, that means no food. War means no harvest, that means no food. Less agricultural land and fewer farmers in the Netherlands? That means less production and more dependence. It also provides considerably less income for the state treasury. A state treasury that must be properly covered in order to meet the NATO standard to invest at least 2% of the gross domestic product in the army. In 2021, what the Dutch economy will have left over from the export of agricultural goods alone was estimated at €46,1 billion.

Let us therefore look at our own position in the Netherlands, especially at a time when the call for strategic autonomy is louder than ever. A strong sector that is going to meet the climate and environmental assignments that lie ahead should not be decimated. Agriculture is an essential part of guaranteeing our independence and ultimately our freedom.

Marijke Everts – Director Corporate Affairs VanDrie Group
Helma Lodders – Chairman Livestock and Logistics Netherlands
Linda Verriet – Producers Organization Pig Farming

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