Moving forward together in the agricultural sector

As a result of the interview Last week on this site about the manure surplus, I received a huge number of 'positive and worrying' responses from the agricultural sector, in which everyone indicated that they agreed with the article. Some even emailed me datasets and studies that differ from the data currently used for legislation. I also kept getting the same question, what next? With the comment: as sectors we are far too divided and do not form a united front. 

After considering all the reactions, I realized that in the interview I mainly outlined the context of the problems, without providing a vision of what could contribute to the progress that is needed. I would like to express my vision in this open letter through a five-point plan, in the hope that this could contribute something.

1. Make sure that you, as advocates, sit down together to work together and form a united front. Now it is the case that one advocate is at the table and the other is not (and believe me that the government has a preference for who is and who is not). After all, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link, so make sure the chain remains intact and pull together. The moment division occurs, the power is gone and - if you are not careful - you will be played off against each other. Every advocate tries to protect his own kingdom, but look beyond these boundaries. If this does not work and people remain divided, switch to another form of advocacy.
    
2. Don't fall into the 'victim role'. There are several business sectors where things are currently not going well due to government regulations and where there are also major problems. There is also a lot of dissatisfaction among citizens. I don't think it's necessary to mention it again here. These citizens are your customers. Communicate well to the outside world what you do and also substantiate why you do something. The majority understand this and support you. Try to spare citizens as much as possible through actions and include them in your story. If the cost price of a product rises, it is ultimately passed on to the citizen (in that case the consumer).
    
3. If there are important issues in Brussels, such as derogation, be present during the negotiations. Now civil servants are returning with frameworks from Brussels, to which Dutch politicians sometimes add a few extra regulations on top. Make sure that the agricultural sector in Brussels is well represented by people with file knowledge and good skills in negotiations and lobbying (and yes, they certainly exist). The Netherlands is and is currently poorly represented, while we have a strong agricultural sector that the entire world is watching. Know what is going on and don't just give your wallet to someone else.
    
4. Don't get emotional during negotiations. Stay focused on the content and make sure you use the actual data. And if the correct information is not available, make sure that it is obtained first. This is before legislation is introduced that is impossible to work with in practice or that increases costs.
    
5. Stop being 'reluctant' as a sector. I regularly hear statements like: "it will take some time" and "there is no point in it all". However, this will not get you any further. My opinion is that we still have a beautiful, progressive agricultural sector with future prospects. However, care must be taken to ensure that this is not ruined by the government. Use the power you have as a sector. And when people unite, that power is many times greater than anyone could imagine. 

The time for action is NOW! Unite as sectors (both livestock farming and arable farming, we need each other.) Your German and French colleagues have already started and are achieving success. Although I am not directly in favor of taking action, I am aware that sometimes there is no other option. But if you do it, do it right. So with impact. And if there are colleagues who are financially affected by this, then we should all support them. Take your own responsibility and do not let it depend on politics, because whether it goes left or right, you will have to do it yourself. 

I would like to thank everyone for the responses over the past few days and wish every entrepreneur in the agricultural sector much wisdom and strength. Your interest is also our interest. Ultimately we all need each other.

John Mostert
(Chairman Section Fertilizers Cumela)

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