Background DairyNL
'Clearing dairy farming can't be true'
"The dairy sector in the Netherlands matters, despite the fact that you would almost think differently on the basis of government statements," said Arjan Schimmel, chairman of the branch organization ZuivelNL, at the New Year's drink that took place physically again on Tuesday, January 10 after two years of corona. For that, tradition was broken; because not The Hague, but an attractive catering farm in Renkum in Gelderland was chosen as accommodation for this.
The dairy sector starts with the farmer, emphasizes Schimmel in his speech. This is of course an open door, but it is good to realize. "Because without milk, the dairy sector cannot move forward." By this, the chairman refers to the position of dairy farmers, which is under considerable pressure today.
What is exporting?
The economic importance of the dairy sector in the Netherlands is good to realize, thinks Schimmel. "In total, the dairy sector creates a production value of €18 billion annually, both primary and in processing." According to Schimmel, the government ignores this too easily. It is often said that the dairy sector relies mainly on exports, but that deserves a nuance.
| Export value of the Dutch dairy sector |
| Of the total production value of €18 billion, according to the latest estimates by ZuivelNL, €10,5 billion is accounted for by industry and €7,6 billion by dairy farming. The total export value is about €10 billion. That includes the re-export. Of the total volume of Dutch dairy, 30% remains in the Netherlands and 45% goes to countries in the European Union, mainly to countries nearby. A quarter goes to destinations outside the EU, with China, the US and the UK leading the way. |
"The Dutch dairy sector has indeed grown with exports. But what exactly is the definition of export? About 75% of dairy production is sold in Europe. That is a completely different approach than that two-thirds of production crosses the border. The Netherlands is a member of the European Union, so you could see that as a home market." With this approach, Schimmel believes that more social support can be achieved. It is not for nothing that a lot of milk is produced in the Netherlands, about 13,8 billion kilos annually. The climate is ideal for this, as is the business climate, Schimmel sums up.
A lot of pressure on sector
The themes that weigh on the position and size of dairy farming are not bad. "Think of climate, energy, water and nitrogen." According to Schimmel, the sum of these plans could mean a shrinkage of 30% to 40% of Dutch dairy farming. "Such a clear cut can't be true." Schimmel expects the coming months to be crucial. According to him, it is important that the sector as a single bloc can put forward the right arguments to Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Piet Adema in order to reach a good agricultural agreement in which the future frameworks become clear.
Despite the fact that the sword of Damocles hangs over dairy farming, Schimmel is not necessarily pessimistic. "Even with fewer farmers, the Netherlands can continue to produce a substantial amount of milk, I am convinced of that. At the moment, one dairy farmer in our country is stopping every day, which has reduced the number to 14.700. If we manage this natural turnover well and the take time, then dairy farming can continue to exist in a socially good and economically responsible manner. That must be the commitment towards the cabinet," Schimmel concludes his speech.
Wouter Job
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