Representatives in Belgium join forces

The 3 largest farmers' sector organizations and the federation of the Belgian dairy sector are going to join forces. The collaboration is being started in order to gain more clout in various policy areas for dairy farming.

The sector organization Boerenbond, the Walloon agricultural organization FWA, the General Farmers Syndicate (ABS) and the Belgian Dairy Confederation (BCZ-CBL) will unite in a new branch organization, which will be officially established on Monday 18 March. The objectives and ambitions will also be further explained on that date.

More striking power 
Roel Vaes of the Boerenbond, the Belgian counterpart of LTO Nederland, already says that the parties are in any case trying to gain more clout. Vaes also states that the new sector organization will mainly focus on policy areas for dairy farming. An example of this is guaranteeing milk quality via the chain quality system.

According to Vaes, the new branch organization is a logical consequence of the informal collaboration that is already underway. "We already work closely together, but that is now mainly done ad hoc", says Vaes. Dairy farmers do not have to pay a contribution in the first instance, although Vaes does not rule out the possibility that a contribution will be required in the future.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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