'There is certainly a future for the Dutch veal sector'

Henny Swinkels was completely surprised to receive the COV medal during the General Meeting this week. He has a first with this. Swinkels is a household name in the veal sector, but also no stranger to the agricultural sector in the Netherlands. In the meantime, he has taken a step back at Van Drie Group. He sees opportunities for the veal sector, although social acceptance is a point for attention. "That doesn't go with the heels in the sand."

The COV medal was created for people who have made an exceptional contribution to the Dutch red meat sector. Does that sound like a nice appreciation?
"You should not be proud of yourself, but I do see this as a nice appreciation. I was completely surprised, I can tell you. A bolt from the blue. I have been active in management within the COV for a quarter of a century and have already that time was fully used in the interests of the various meat sectors. This reward is a nice appreciation for the work done over all those years. I look back on a wonderful time."

In the meantime, Van Drie Group has taken a step back. How are you actually doing?
"I am doing fine, I feel good. I am still associated with the Van Drie Group, but then more as an advisor to the family business. That is why I have not yet wanted to formally say goodbye to the veal sector. I will continue with some of those positions, other positions I sometimes reduce. I am now 72 years old and you have to accept that. I have also always said that you should be careful above 70 to be involved with strategy. That is why I focus now mainly on things that are part of day-to-day business. I am now also mainly involved in areas that I have never been in. Green energy, for example. This is a major social issue for the coming decades. This is an opportunity for agricultural entrepreneurs a second revenue model.I was recently approached for an American patent holder in the field of energy to play an advisory role in this on the European market.A great challenge during my t weed youth, haha."

So you are now a bit more at a distance from the calf sector. What do you notice in that sector?
"In recent decades, considerable investments have been made in chain collaboration and that is now paying off. On the other hand, the sector must remain sharp. Innovation in the field of ammonia and nitrogen reduction can sometimes be faster. In recent decades, the veal sector has undergone an enormous transition. will be no different in the coming decades."

So what should we think about?
"The challenge now lies mainly in the area of ​​social acceptance. The art of the sector is adapting to society, that is not something that can be done with the heels in the sand. Ensuring food safety is and will remain crucial, as Dutch veal is known here. The revenue model for the farmer is a point of attention. In that light, I see an opportunity in market concepts, together with retail. The number of companies in the Netherlands will decrease in the coming years. Whether the number of calves also decreases depends on the success of the chain concepts."

Quite a lot of veal farmers are being bought out by the government for nitrogen space, including in the Veluwe. Do you get that?
"Yes, I understand that. If nature requires extra protection, that in itself is a good development. For entrepreneurs who want to continue with their business, it is important that they are actually given the space to do so elsewhere. The Veluwe is still the stronghold of veal farming, I expect that production will spread more in clusters across the Netherlands in the coming years."  

Finally, what would you like to give a permanent farmer?
"Focus on quality instead of quantity. The time of the lowest cost price through economies of scale is behind us. There is a growing willingness among consumers to pay for quality products. This more expensive meat may not be eaten every day, but it will be eaten at special Incidentally, this does not only apply to veal, but also to other agricultural sectors. The sector-wide consideration must be given to matters such as packaging material. The number of butchers in Europe is decreasing, which means that the importance of packaging material is growing. However, plastic is not the packaging material of the future. I am not skeptical. The Dutch veal sector is already known worldwide for its high quality standards and therefore has a future, I am convinced of that."

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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