Rodenaar Harm Holman (66) is the agricultural face on the candidate list of New Social Contract (NSC), Pieter Omtzigt's party. With place 20 on the list, the former CDA member and former dairy director seems assured of a seat in the House of Representatives and therefore a role in the decision-making machine in The Hague. It is a step into a harsh world, Holman knows, and whether he will be successful or not remains to be seen. "I have received support, there are also people who said: Harm, what are you getting into?"
In any case, Holman has decided to go for it and want to change things, so that systems do not rush over people, attention is paid to the regions and there is no longer such a one-sided focus on agriculture in environmental and climate policy.
Yet it is not: with Holman and NSC everything will be different. Your party also still wants a reduction in the livestock population - and therefore fewer farmers, you would say.
"That is not our first point. We want agriculture and other sectors of the economy to be treated equally. For example, we are in favor of an emissions policy, but then we look at all emissions. That means: not just emissions from livestock, as now, but also that of NOx, of combustion engines and industry. Moreover, we definitely opt for voluntariness. Perhaps a reduction in the livestock population by a few percentages is inevitable, but it is not a goal in itself. It must fit in with the environmental scope of the sector. We However, we do not want to force anyone to stop."
Are you in favor of a purchase scheme?
"Yes, but again, only on a voluntary basis and in a warm manner"
You don't have to control the number of animals, do you? As long as the goal is achieved, no one needs to worry about the method of implementation?
"Nevertheless, I think that a reduction in the number of animals, especially in intensive livestock farming, is inevitable. Just look at the situation on the manure market. Where else should all that manure go now that we have to phase out the derogation. And we do have the task of reduce emissions."
Back to voluntariness. Can you then meet the Brussels requirements? From there, isn't there a lot of pressure to tackle agriculture and livestock farming?
"It is often said: Brussels cannot or should not do this, or Brussels must do this. That is often not true. We in the Netherlands have regularly done it ourselves, locked ourselves in with our own effects and laws. If that is the case, We should be able to figure it out ourselves."
The NSC wants to approach things differently, with more feeling for the people, for feasibility and realism perhaps, but lately it has been noticeable that many of the 'old' parties suddenly also sound milder and more moderate about nitrogen, the environment and farmers. Does everyone suddenly agree with what NSC and BBB are putting forward?
"I have also noticed that other parties suddenly sound much more moderate. The question is whether this will remain that way. Even Adema, who is now suddenly starting to talk about the excessive model reality surrounding nitrogen - a conversion far too late and a core point of our program."
Let's zoom out for a moment. What positive things does NSC want to offer to agriculture?
"That is: a less one-sided focus on what agriculture is doing wrong, fewer rules and making the remaining rules better. Moreover, not only restrict, but above all offer perspective. We want young farmers to be able to have confidence in the future again, can look ahead. A good revenue model, a fair price for the farmer's products and long-term agreements that provide financial security for, for example, eco-services."
Only the young farmers? Almost everyone has their best interests at heart, from whatever perspective.
Holman smiles: "Then let's broaden it to those who stay. They should be able to continue."
Can we be proud of farmers and livestock keepers again?
"We should certainly be proud of them. Dairy farming is the basis of the countryside. We have to be careful with that. The current nitrogen policy, to which we also have other objections, does not help. It is much too one-sidedly focused on agriculture "That is why it is partly ineffective, but bad for agricultural activity. If we continue with this policy, livestock farming will soon be destroyed and nature will not improve."
In addition to agriculture, the discussion about nutrition is also becoming increasingly politicized. For some groups it is no longer okay to eat animal products, because it would be bad for the climate.
"We have no opinion about that. We find something like that very patronizing."
Apart from livestock, you want to move towards target regulations for agriculture when it comes to the environment and the like. What is the deeper reason?
"Firstly, we believe that if politicians start to interfere with the amount of protein in the ration or with the harvest date, then you are sitting on the wrong chair. It is not obedience, but the intrinsic motivation of the farmer that must be encouraged "We need fewer rules, but more clarity. In that context, we are also in favor of an accountable substance balance. This allows you to clearly show how environmentally responsible and balanced your work is."
Won't that make farmers feel even more trapped? Agriculture is often controlled by triple or quadruple regulations.
"I understand that if you do not simultaneously remove some of the old and often unnecessary regulations, this will cause resentment. Still, I think it is important to approach things differently. You cannot exclude all kinds of groups, such as the PAS reporters. , have been left in uncertainty for years because the existing web of rules and principles no longer offers a way out. Look at the application of the precautionary principle to the nitrogen issue. We should be able to test that against the Constitution. In most other countries this is possible, in the Netherlands "We don't. That has to change, we think. Now we hide behind certain calculation models and results without seeing the logic."
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