Will consumers pay for biodiversity?

"Everyone talks about more (and restoration of) biodiversity, but citizens and consumers hardly contribute to this. If you put a surcharge on all Frisian milk and collect it for this purpose, you make the consumer involved and everyone takes their own responsibility. and its responsibility. I think that is what we want. 'Frisian citizens for Frisian farmers', that is what I call the initiative," explained the outgoing mayor of the Frisian capital.

Bypassing authorities
Crone proposes that nature collectives set up a foundation that manages a fund. In this way he hopes to avoid the competition authorities. "If citizens pick it up and manage it, I don't think anyone can block it, but this has to be sorted out. The exact effect will probably require some adjustments anyway, but it's about the idea. You can say: it is possible and allowed not, but why? You can also say that you want it together and that is why you make sure it happens."

The plan is assessed by the Center for Agriculture and the Environment (CLM). Wouter van de Weijden said on behalf of that organization that the calculation is expected at the end of July. "We look at how many supermarkets should actually participate to give such a plan sufficient substance, how much storage per pack is realistic and how you can best manage and spend the money you raise. That it cannot be done through a system in which every citizen and supermarket is forced to participate is completely clear. On the other hand, it is possible to make agreements with supermarkets."

Crone said he had already been in contact with the supermarket chains Jumbo and Poeisz, as well as with FrieslandCampina and A-ware. "All these parties are enthusiastic, with the supermarkets letting us know that the other major parties should also join in." Crone's own calculation shows that if 75% of supermarket chains cooperate and pay an extra 2,5 cents per kilo of milk on dairy products, approximately €3,4 million per year will be collected.

Blessing from Wageningen UR
Martin Scholten, Director of Animal Sciences at Wageningen UR, said in a subsequent round table discussion that he was charmed by the plan. "I first had to think about it for 2 nights, but then I became enthusiastic and so did Louise Fresco. If farmers are now connected to citizens, this is done via chains in the market. This involves a fairly direct connection between citizens and farmer."

Scholten did point out that all milk produced in Friesland is not necessarily consumed by Frisians. And that all dairy products on Frisian shelves are not always made from milk from Frisian farmers. "I understand that A-ware and Poeisz are positive about this. They have an interest in Friesland. The question is how Arla, for example, will react? What if it does not want to participate?" He states that there are still some problems with the implementation of such a proposal. "However, I am positive about the basic principle and I certainly do not want to abandon the plan in advance."

'Nothing against this plan'
Hein Schumacher, the CEO of FrieslandCampina, has a similar view. He calls Crone's plan sympathetic. "We work with, for example, Planet Proof on the market side and with a new foundation to strengthen meadow bird management. The movement that you return the added value that is created (biodiversity) to the farmer is the movement that we also endorse. For that reason I support the plan and I do not believe that an extra €0,02 per carton of milk will be too much. We have to be real; Without an additional financial contribution, dairy farmers will no longer commit to biodiversity. The margins in the sector are simply too thin for that."