Arable farming happy with pro-EU course and left-wing minority

The new cabinet to be formed does not propagate anti-EU sentiment, nor is it a dominant left bloc. This is positive for arable farming in the Netherlands, according to a telephone call among arable foremen.

LTO'er Jaap van Wenum, chairman of the arable farming department, is pleased that the parties that are critical of Europe have not become too big. 'The majority follows a pro-European course and that is important for us as an exporting sector, because the Netherlands earns a large part of its money on the European market. Then we won't benefit from fences around countries and populism.'

The fear of an anti-EU result was also part of the Dutch Arable Farming Union (NAV). 'The result could have been worse', said chairman Teun de Jong. "It looks like anti-EU clubs won't be in charge. We were afraid of that at first.' De Jong finds it encouraging that the not outspoken left will also hold sway. 'With the left you can expect a lot of pressure on environmental measures.'

Powerful minister
The foremen think the political landscape to come is divided, but consider coalitions possible in which agriculture will play an important role. All are in favor of a minister of agriculture, because unlike a state secretary, a minister does meet weekly at the council of ministers. Van Wenum would prefer a powerful minister. “It is important to be able to address the Prime Minister directly. It is also better for a minister to convey his message to the European Union. I hope that we will have an agriculture minister who is fully committed and who represents our interests in the Netherlands and beyond.'

As an example, De Jong cites Minister Ploumen of Development Cooperation, who is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'As a minister, you will then be involved in the important discussions. Such a construction is also necessary for agriculture. If possible, a minister who learns quickly and who is a good minister. Sharon Dijksma had that in him, but Martijn van Dam didn't.'

Former chairman Jaap Haanstra, who often spent time in The Hague, agrees. 'A person who finds the farmers on his or her side during the negotiations in Brussels gives the most confidence. He or she must radiate something towards agriculture, affinity or a feeling, then you can achieve things.'

Discussions on facts
According to Haanstra, a disadvantage is that many parties are needed to form a cabinet. 'As a result, many compromises will have to be made with left-wing and right-wing parties. The VVD may be the largest, but not huge, and a whole platoon of followers follows behind.'

He thinks a combination over the left is impossible. 'GroenLinks sees organic as the right way, an excellent sector, but that will regulate itself. That should not be regulated from above. For agriculture, a lot will depend on who comes to export and the environment.'

The most important thing for young arable farmers is that there will soon be a cabinet with which proper consultation can be held about the future. Working together constructively on the future of agriculture, says Doeko van 't Westeinde of the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK), who has arable farming in his portfolio. 'With this result, I think there is a good eye for agriculture. One party approaches the future in a different way than the other. I especially hope that the discussions are based on facts rather than on emotion. That way we can build a good sustainable future without being put away in a negative way.'

Read here what they think about the election results in dairy farming.

Would you like to receive more inside information about arable farming? Then take out an Arable farming subscription. Click here for more information. 

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.