News Advocacy
Sjaak van der Tak is stepping down as LTO chairman
LTO chairman Sjaak van der Tak will not stand for election for a second term as chairman of the organization, LTO announced on Tuesday, October 31. The seasoned director was the face of the advocacy group for three years. In addition to the fact that he has turned 67, Van der Tak indicates that a new political wind in The Hague is reserved for a fresh chairman.
Van der Tak, who was previously active as chairman of Glastuinbouw Nederland and mayor of Westland, has been leading the LTO since November 2020. Things got heated at times during his term of office. In an explanation, he says that he considers it an honor to have been the face of LTO for three years.
New chairman desirable
A tough management position such as that of the representative requires full commitment. Van der Tak therefore decides – partly thanks to his age – to spend more time with his family. "A lot will change in politics in The Hague in the coming months... then a new chairman will be more desirable and effective," he says. The Westlander will officially say goodbye in mid-December.
Turbulent times
The chairman was at the helm of LTO during a very turbulent agricultural period. The sector was still full of the first farmers' protest on the Malieveld - on October 1, 2019 - when new plans were already being drawn up. On behalf of his organization, he negotiated day and night in The Hague to achieve an agricultural agreement with agricultural action groups and the ministry. Negotiations about this collapsed at the beginning of this summer. Partly because Van der Tak no longer saw enough perspective on behalf of LTO.
It is clear to him that a lot will change for farmers and gardeners, but confidence in LTO as an advocate remains. He is still on the list of the CDA in Westland.
Niels van der Boom
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