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Open letter Nitrogen

Former LTO top executives: Stop agricultural sales

June 14, 2023 - Redactie - 37 comments

A so-called Agricultural Agreement has been in the works for eight months now. But what kind of agreement should be reached? Farmers have no idea what is being discussed, are worried and feel, based on what is leaking out, that more and more is slowly being sold out. 

The long negotiations, the running away of organizations and the impact of leaked intentions (strict LSU standard, landscape land, even more water quality requirements) are cause for concern. And outside the negotiation process, the minister is also putting pressure on harvest bans after a bureaucratically set date. What does this government actually think of us? Is it any wonder that unrest and dissatisfaction are increasing and the tension on companies is palpable? We have to give up everything, but the government does not fulfill its obligations to us. See the thousands of PAS reporters and the people with a non-working stable, a stable that has been pushed by the government, but who are not getting help now. We also have the derogation loss, the mandatory buffer strips, the nitrogen concerns. We did not create the failing legislation that led to these problems, but we will be held accountable for it. Is this government still accountable for anything?

Watch out for boomerang
We want real solutions that farmers can live with. If the outcome is different, this will cause great unrest and will turn like a boomerang against the negotiators in the agricultural consultations, regardless of which side of the table they are on. Threatening that the government will take measures itself in the event of no agreement makes no impression on us and always comes from weakness. A bad agreement will put agricultural development, modernization, innovative strength and the will to invest years behind schedule. The consumer is also not served by this. All the more so because sustainability requires a product up close.

Farmers believe in knowledge development and science, but in independent science, not biased knowledge to order. Due to the government's constant steering with models, standards and selective measurements, our confidence has dropped to zero. We therefore first want credible measurements and other data before we can talk further. 

It can be different
It can also be done differently. Talk to us about enthusiasm and business-like thinking. We can also achieve a lot on our own, see for example how we have reduced the use of antibiotics and plant protection products. Agriculture is on the eve of enormous change. Digitization, robotization and sensor technology will make the difference. This requires an industry that has enthusiasm, earning capacity and guts. As Dutch agriculture, we have exceptionally well-trained farmers, with unique knowledge and skills, but also with an eye for our environment. And don't forget our contribution to the trade balance.

Also understand how markets work. They are not official. And don't forget about food security. The Netherlands is a major exporter in sub-areas, but is not self-sufficient on balance. In a fermenting world with a sharp increase in population, a decreasing amount of agricultural land and a water supply that is not self-evident, agriculture cannot be ignored here. Think carefully about what you are doing. The current route causes accidents! Given the messages that reach us, we believe that an agricultural agreement has no added value and signing serves no purpose. Certainly not for the young generation.

We, signatories to this call, have previously carried our administrative responsibility.

Jacob Bartelds (former chairman of LTO North)
Geart Benedictus (former NTLO chairman)
Jaap Haanstra (former chairman of LTO Arable farming and director of LTO Noord)
Toon van Hoof (former Vice President ZLTO)
Hans Huijbers (former chairman ZLTO)
Noud van Vught (former ZLTO director)

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Comments
37 comments
Subscriber
Jantje June 14, 2023
This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url = https: // www.boerenbusiness.nl/melk/artikel/10904627/old-topdrivers-lto-stop-outsales-farming]Old-topdrivers LTO: Stop agricultural sales[/url]
Totally agree!
Subscriber
time bomb June 14, 2023
But how??
Subscriber
Peter June 14, 2023
Can members also sign this letter somewhere? I'm very curious how many A4's will be added!
Subscriber
crow June 14, 2023
Hey hey at least that's talk. I think this is what the majority of farmers in the Netherlands say.
Subscriber
Maridonna June 14, 2023
totally agree, Sjakie has to leave that meeting today.
Subscriber
Herman Pennings June 14, 2023
I (LTO member in Noordelijk Zandgebied) sent a letter about this to Dirk Bruins, the chairman of LTO Noord, about this some time ago. Unfortunately, no response was received from him.

I always read your pieces in New Harvest about the daily concerns you raise in them. This time I read “The sooner, the better in the magazine of April 7. As a chief board member of LTO, I think your voice has a heavy character in decisions. I would like to tell you why I am so skeptical about an agricultural agreement. First of all, the big picture: As Agriculture, we have already had a lot to deal with in which agreements with the government sometimes had a different effect due to official explanations. I can't remember at the moment that our government has poured out as many regulations on our farmers as in the last 2 years. It is quite something when Macron asks Rutte what the Netherlands is doing with its farmers.

What strikes me is that the NGOs and environmental groups in our official circles have a finger in the pie to the extent that every measure and upcoming measures will be put to their will. I notice a lot of tiredness among our colleagues from all the negative things that come their way. Now you are very much in favor of an “Agricultural Agreement”. Not me. And will you tell me why: Sjaak and Piet are thinking of a mandatory good earnings model for farmers. This is 100% definitely not going to happen. If a consumer is allowed to choose between cheap Ukrainian eggs and expensive Dutch eggs, the choice will fall for the 1st. This is world trade.

Any promises on this point in a possible agricultural agreement will be false expectations. If Brussels decides to let Ukrainian eggs in to support Ukraine, an agricultural agreement will be of no use to us here. Any other thought is wishful thinking. It also makes no sense to me as an individual country to conclude an agricultural agreement with our government if 90% of all rules come from Brussels. I think that an agricultural agreement will then have a suffocating effect.

I also have serious doubts about the attitude of politicians and NGOs. I think stripping down Agriculture has been elevated to religion. Look at the Department of Defense budget. Everything is possible again in 1 day. Will only be possible with us if there is no more food in the stores. Then comes the realization. Previously, the “ button” will not cope. My father always told me: A rich agriculture is a rich country. A poor agriculture is a poor country. Food is what it's all about. And grow it in the world where it belongs. That is why it is such a shame that people are so eager to take our land for all kinds of nature projects.

In order not to make my train of thought towards you too long, I would like to submit the following to you:
1 Do not sign an Agricultural Agreement. I hold my breath for what LTO will give away again.
2 In this chilly agricultural political climate it is inappropriate to draw anything. It is better to wait for a turnaround (warmer times).
3 Try to make politicians believe that they are demolishing an enormously beautiful and profitable sector. Not that this applies to Piet Adema, but more to the rest of the Cabinet.

In the meantime I have understood that this will be the decisive week and therefore wish you a lot of wisdom.
Subscriber
farmer June 14, 2023
Better no deal than bad deal that you have to stick to in the future because you agreed
adrian green June 14, 2023
So these are the former administrators who lost the peasantry. In 30 years, 70% of farmers have stopped. Why the importance of peasantry and the countryside? And only produce cheap food, so that citizens can spend their income on something else. Whose interest did these ex-directors actually serve?
Subscriber
Jurriaan June 14, 2023
Your last name suggests you are a green thinker? As farmers, we have always followed the policies that the government set before us. Almost everything, including the tax regime, is still geared towards investing and scaling up. Until recently, we had to produce cheap food and everything in The Hague was aimed at having us produce a lot in order to keep cheap food. Then you can be very simplistic (as the green churchgoers do: you could have known that 30 years ago), but just try to swim against the general current as a sector. Consumers still do not opt ​​for sustainable, but for the lowest price. That has to change and these former drivers understand that.
Subscriber
anna June 14, 2023
Isn't it really funny, our old drivers suddenly wake up. The big problem is that we have always had administrators who have never really wanted to make a decision. "Push and hold" was the creed. Nitrogen is not new to us as farmers. We were already confronted with it in the eighties. One of the first measures was the injection of slurry on grassland. This was intended to protect the groundwater (nitrate). And for forty years now, as a sector, we have been confronted with extra measures that increase the cost price. All this time, our directors have been unable to reach an agreement with the government, resulting in a cost price increase (extra manure storage, low-emission floors, manure removal, etc.). As farmers, we are not able to pass on these extra costs to the consumer ourselves. We need our processors for this, who have their own cost price system. There is really not one customer (supermarket) who says to us: here you have an extra cent because you incur so many extra costs. As a sector, we have made ourselves far too dependent on all kinds of "wise guys" who want the best for us. Everyone is allowed to have an income (salary) except the farmer. The result of this is that far too many large (livestock) companies have arisen in order to achieve cost price reductions, which can also exercise a certain power over colleagues. Image problem is bigger than many directors think!
Subscriber
xx June 14, 2023
Indeed, that agricultural agreement makes no sense at all. They do what they want anyway.
That LU standard per ha, for example. We can say that it has no use or added value, but they simply push it through. That's not a consultation.
Subscriber
Zeeuw June 14, 2023
There is no word in Spanish. Sjaak must have heard it because he has suspended the consultation.
Maybe he's got it figured out: fertilization standard per ha then the requirement for lucrative livestock per ha is superfluous, but only politicians are air-foundry. I am very curious which flap turd will come to help Adema tonight. Stick to your demands Sjaak and kaat them choke on their shitty rules!!!!!
Subscriber
jan janssen June 14, 2023
Worst of all, the FDF has taken control of LTO!
Subscriber
CM June 14, 2023
jan jansen wrote:
Worst of all, the FDF has taken control of LTO!
That is not true. However, there is now pressure from Agractie and FDF not to bend their knees every time when politics calls for something. As an aside, both were founded due to weak actions by LTO itself. Says enough anyway.
Subscriber
time bomb June 14, 2023
Zeeland wrote:
There is no word in Spanish. Sjaak must have heard it because he has suspended the consultation.
Maybe he's got it figured out: fertilization standard per ha then the requirement for lucrative livestock per ha is superfluous, but only politicians are air-foundry. I am very curious which flap turd will come to help Adema tonight. Stick to your demands Sjaak and kaat them choke on their shitty rules!!!!!
Including van der Wal, Habers the Younger and Jetten. Would Adema have picked it out. My thought is that there is not much good in between.
Subscriber
Zeeuw June 14, 2023
The most powerful language is tonight: we have made our demands reasonably and are going for it. Are you going to make this possible or will our consultation end here? We are done with these bureau rules we are going to produce food!
Subscriber
Freek June 14, 2023
LTO, former and current directors have butter on their heads. Rendered bad services to society; always more milk per cow, always more cows per farm, always more concentrates, always more (artificial) manure. The consequences are disastrous for country and people; who pays, again not the polluter: the taxpayer with tens of billions of taxes.
Disastrous:
1. the cows, which only live for a short time because of their mouth-stuffed concentrates in their stomachs. Like the geese in eg F. No time for orderly rumination and overloaded organs. Unethical!!
2. Grassland is over-fertilized to mow grass every 5 weeks. Soil emaciation and bio-life. Acidification of soil and waterways.
3. Environmental Destruction.
4. A big lie that farmers are environmentalists.


Thanks farmers and LTO; but the shore will turn the ship. The CDA is already defunct, the LTO will soon follow. The flags are already hanging pathetically along the roads.
Do know: tractor terror in The Hague is no longer tolerated.
Come up with good solutions, that's what's lacking so far.
Subscriber
time bomb June 14, 2023
CDA gone, but a very combative BBB in its place. Long live the BBB. hooray.
Subscriber
Zeeland June 14, 2023
Freekje: the sector has now reduced 1990-60% since 70. You can't make it on the toilet. The sector wants even more and will reduce even more. Don't compare a cow with a French liver goose, because then you are an ox that stunts with sounds. Participating is good, but if you don't know more then just walk along for the 4 days!
Subscriber
Hank. June 15, 2023
Hopefully there will be no agricultural agreement, because that will be a disaster.!

I completely agree with the old drivers.!

Mvg, Hank.
Subscriber
time bomb June 15, 2023
I think NO agreement is not possible/should. Then the government explains what MUST. Then we get Russian practices.
Subscriber
Zeeuw June 15, 2023
Totally agree Time bomb. However, an agreement in which the hard requirements are arranged at the start.
It's done wasting time or they can get screwed. What a mafia and then on a flying holiday. Only fly above 900 meters and then let it jump. Safe for nature!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subscriber
Freek June 15, 2023
NL exports 3x more nitrogen than it imports. That time bomb is still waiting for us! Force-feeding must stop in order to stop obesity in farm animals and to give them a dignified existence. Thanks to market forces (BBB, CDA, SGP, VVD, CU, LTO are in favour), farmers get too little for their milk and meat and the farmers are screwed.
Higher prices and abolishing all those subsidies. As a farmer you don't want to be a supporter and you don't want to be a loser.
Subscriber
time bomb June 15, 2023
Frank wrote:
NL exports 3x more nitrogen than it imports. That time bomb is still waiting for us! Force-feeding must stop in order to stop obesity in farm animals and to give them a dignified existence. Thanks to market forces (BBB, CDA, SGP, VVD, CU, LTO are in favour), farmers get too little for their milk and meat and the farmers are screwed.
Higher prices and abolishing all those subsidies. As a farmer you don't want to be a supporter and you don't want to be a loser.
You should do as you think is better, and let us ordinary farmers (100%-1 special farmer) do as WE think is better, which we enjoy, and don't worry about this weather. Poor soul.
Subscriber
CM June 15, 2023
Frank wrote:
NL exports 3x more nitrogen than it imports. That time bomb is still waiting for us! Force-feeding must stop in order to stop obesity in farm animals and to give them a dignified existence. Thanks to market forces (BBB, CDA, SGP, VVD, CU, LTO are in favour), farmers get too little for their milk and meat and the farmers are screwed.
Higher prices and abolishing all those subsidies. As a farmer you don't want to be a supporter and you don't want to be a loser.
All farmers and the market agree with these much higher prices
let it do its job. But it is politics that wants to limit food prices and is running the tap with market interventions and measures. Earlier yesterday than today, all subsidies will be removed, but then everything will be released, with the consequence that there will be a truly free market with merit for the farmer. Consumers will have to pay a large part of their income for food; fine, that's what you mean right?
Subscriber
Freek June 15, 2023
Yes, I wish farmers good, so much higher prices! So no more global market forces. This allows the farmers to pay for themselves, without all those humiliating subsidies. Like every citizen, farmers must also comply with the laws / permits, standards and rules to protect this planet. It stops without a permit
Subscriber
simple farmer June 15, 2023
We farmers prefer to produce food as cheaply as possible, but that is made impossible for us.
We receive a subsidy if we set aside corners of land and harvest potatoes or beets earlier.
The calendar determines what we are still allowed to do on our land, the fertilization standards are far too low, etc.
You can assume that food will become even more expensive and global hunger will increase sharply.
Then the number of asylum seekers from Africa in this direction will also increase considerably.
Subscriber
time bomb June 15, 2023
Not so long ago I warned that a famine was coming. Simple farmer also sees this. On all sides, farmers are confronted with surrendering means of production land, livestock, harvest calendar and expansion of nature. Here the farmers are saddened by the Forum follower thinks that the protests are over in the direction of The Hague. I think that this cluster of confrontational threats makes the farmers just a little sharper. Freek can also have to deal with this. The battle is not over yet, if Freek thinks so.
Subscriber
Freek June 15, 2023
Yes, you are indeed a simple farmer. You're making weird short-sighted, if not stupid, connections. In 2023 we do not want farmers who produce cheaply on the backs of obese farm animals, foreign 'slaves', too many harmful substances, etc., etc. Consumers want quality and are willing to pay for it. Get off your yard farmer and explore the 'world'. Be an entrepreneur in a changing world. Now you only produce raw materials, for which no one is willing to pay a little more. Otherwise, quit your business while you still can.
Subscriber
CM June 16, 2023
Go preach in the left-wing church, Freek. There they swallow your talk for sweet cake, good luck with it.
Subscriber
simple farmer June 16, 2023
Indeed, it is against my principles and I also think it is dangerous to risk food security for some dubious nature goals. It is not a problem for the richer people, but there are already many people who already have a hard time making ends meet, especially if food becomes 3 times more expensive. A golden age may be coming for us arable farmers, I also just have to think outside the box.
adrian green June 16, 2023
The farmers want prospects and a reasonable revenue model. Then it is time for us to realize what a perspective with a revenue model entails. A revenue model means that you use a working method that generates sufficient income. This means that the revenue price for the products you produce is higher than the cost price. The bigger the difference, the less amount you have to produce for a good income, so with less sweat. The more that is produced, the lower the selling price. Scaling up also results in a higher cost price, because the expansion often has a higher cost price than the cost price of the quantity you already produced. Especially if the increase in scale is accompanied by borrowed money. Because of this lower margin between yield price and cost price, the farmer has to produce a larger quantity for the same income. And the only thing he is left with when scaling up is extra sweat. Success with it.
Subscriber
time bomb June 16, 2023
You can talk easily. The Netherlands is not the only country that produces food. Let's now try to produce food that the farmer enjoys, and ALL mouths can be fed. It will be able to raise more, but who can afford all that. Supermarkets will have to raise their prices EXTRA because of less turnover. Stop all your nonsense and let us produce food for everyone.
What nonsense about your extra sweat. A farmer is born as a farmer, and he likes to take that sweat on the side. Go to an uninhabited island together with your friend Freek, and eat locusts, and drink sea water. Give me a good piece of meat, fried in butter. I can enjoy that without sweating, and before going to sleep a glass of delicious whole milk from our Dutch cows. Good journey and tasty.
Subscriber
Brabanderals FDF June 16, 2023
jan jansen wrote:
Worst of all, the FDF has taken control of LTO!
If it weren't for FDF you would have been screwed long ago by LTO WITH AN AGRICULTURE AGREEMENT that will cost your company

WAKE UP MAN !
Subscriber
Freek June 16, 2023
"Time bomb" raves bald, lots of screaming and little wool.
"AG" is right: no more and more bulk products for a rotten price. Fewer cows per farm and less milk per cow, but for (much) higher prices.
Time bomb talks like LTO, more, more & more. Farmers following in the footsteps of LTO are destroying agriculture and horticulture. Drastic change is needed, otherwise the ship will turn. One percent (farmers) of all NL companies lose their power year after year.
In the next EU budget, the agricultural budget will be cut drastically, I'm grumbling you.



Kees June 19, 2023
What nitrogen crisis?
Look at the state tolerated REAL pollution and the role of rutte in it

NPO documentary cesspit the Netherlands of 1 hour 26 minutes
Subscriber
time bomb June 20, 2023
Frank wrote:
"Time bomb" raves bald, lots of screaming and little wool.
"AG" is right: no more and more bulk products for a rotten price. Fewer cows per farm and less milk per cow, but for (much) higher prices.
Time bomb talks like LTO, more, more & more. Farmers following in the footsteps of LTO are destroying agriculture and horticulture. Drastic change is needed, otherwise the ship will turn. One percent (farmers) of all NL companies lose their power year after year.
In the next EU budget, the agricultural budget will be cut drastically, I'm grumbling you.



In our circle of friends / acquaintances we have an owner of a reasonably well-known supermarket.
This topic comes up frequently in this circle. Everyone wants more for their product, but try to realize it. A good example is chicken meat. The regular farmed chicken is next to ? stars, and organic, and so on. You can't really avoid buying it anyway. In front of other shoppers, they look extensively at the sustainable chicken (they think), BUT BUY the regular farmed chicken, even people with status. Conclusion: They don't want to buy it because of THE PRICE. And let's be honest, what's wrong with the regular farmed chicken? NOTHING. And also see the organic fruit/vegetable range.
Not to be seen, and it remains lying down, And ends up in the horse trough. Expensive and invisible.
You can no longer respond.

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