Schouten gives tenant farmers new hope

Minister Carola Schouten, Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), hopes to come up with a letter to parliament around Easter in which, among other things, the subject of lease will be discussed. Aldrik Gierveld, director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, said this on 15 March at the annual meeting of the Association of Land Tenants and Own Land Users (BLHB).

Gierveld spoke on behalf of Minister Schouten, who was absent due to the debate on cattle fraud† The letter will discuss Schouten's role with regard to liberalized leases. Gierveld said that Schouten has 3 choices. "The ministry can maintain the current system, with minor adjustments. Second, it can leave the issue to private parties and the third option is to adjust the Lease Law."

Gierveld emphasized that the Lease Law cannot be changed just like that. "This is because this falls under the Civil Code and must therefore be approved by the Senate and House of Representatives. That means that thorough work must be done."

New opening
The talks about the lease policy have been deadlocked for some time. The hope is that, with Minister Schouten, progress will be made. Gierveld indicated that Schouten is positive about a sustainable lease policy. "A new lease policy must promote long-term relationships, sustainable soil management and economic profitability for the farmer. There must also be a better relationship between long-term and short-term leases."

Sander Thus (NAJK) and Piet van der Eijk (chairman of BLHB) notice that the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality supports long-term leases to promote sustainable land management. Thus and Van der Eijk notice that there is understanding for the farmer's situation.

That situation is that the farmer is offered short-term contracts, while liberalized lease contracts encourage short-term thinking. This instead of promoting sustainable soil management. "It is difficult to obtain a regular lease, while that is important (in addition to owner-occupied land) for the bank. The development of the lease price must increase in line with the earning capacity," says Thus. The NAJK also believes that alternative forms of lease are missing. "Just regular and liberalized leases are not enough."

Decrease in rent standards
The BLHB expects a decrease in the lease standards for livestock farmers next year. The rent standards for arable farmers will probably remain stable. This is because those lease standards are determined on the basis of the past 5 years. Livestock farmers had to deal with a number of difficult years during that period. 

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

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