Regulatory pressure in agriculture: wisdom or madness?

In recent years we have seen a sharp increase in legislation and regulations in the agricultural sector, to the dismay of many agricultural entrepreneurs. How can you, as an individual entrepreneur, deal with and survive the increasing regulatory pressure from the government?

We live in one of the most densely populated countries in the world. This means that we have to make agreements with each other about many things if we want to keep it liveable. The government is primarily responsible for making and enforcing these rules. Citizens and companies are expected to adhere to the rules imposed by the government. If you don't make agreements with each other in a society about how things are arranged (or regulated), the (economic) system will come to a standstill and it will become chaos.

Necessary evil
In the agricultural sector, we are familiar with laws and regulations in many areas. Animal welfare, environment, food safety, spatial planning, health and safety, fire safety to name a few. These laws and regulations can help to maintain the high quality of Dutch agriculture. So on the one hand it is a necessary evil and on the other it also aims to provide clarity and guidance.

unjust
Entrepreneurs often experience legislation and regulations as unjust and impractical, for example if the paperwork demands so much time and knowledge from you that it is almost impossible to follow, or if regulations are introduced with retroactive effect. This applies, for example, if entrepreneurs are faced with choices that they actually do not want or are unable to make, just think of the situation in which the focus is on growth, but where regulations limit this growth.

psychological pressure
Lately I hear many entrepreneurs sigh "What am I doing all this for?" The fun is lost for many people as a result of increasing regulations. I notice that in many cases increasing regulatory pressure also means increasing psychological pressure. This often emerges in the personal sphere (neglect) or relational sphere, in marriages, (family) relationships and families. In a number of cases, depression or worse is lurking.

Think about yourself
How do you deal with it when you experience increasing tensions and pressures? Working even harder won't solve it. It is in the nature of many agricultural entrepreneurs to sell themselves short. By this I mean that many entrepreneurs have a structural imbalance between effort and relaxation. Compare it to the battery of your car or tractor: It must be recharged in order to function. So it is with you as a human being. Therefore ensure that there are sufficient moments for 'recharging'. Don't lose sight of your relationship, your family, your friendships, or your hobbies.

work on yourself
Your influence on what comes at you from the government or the sector can be limited. But you can influence the way in which you deal with and respond to increasing regulatory pressure.

• Communicate with your environment. People who are close to you, such as your partner, family and friends, have often noticed that you are having a hard time. Talking about your feelings, frustrations, or fears can help. You don't have to face it alone.
• Be honest about your physical and mental fitness. It is a sign of strength and wisdom to sound the alarm in good time if you do not feel (or no longer) fit.
• Therefore, call in help on time (family, friends, colleagues, GP, farmer's help, etc.). This is a difficult one for many entrepreneurs: admitting that you can't do it (for a while) alone (anymore).
• Don't put your energy into things you can't control. That is a waste of time and emotion and energy. Rather focus on things that can be influenced. Make an overview of these impressionable things in your life and at the company and act on them.
• Search for your passion. Why did you become an entrepreneur? What drives you to be a farmer?
• Is your passion still sufficient to remain an entrepreneur? Why yes, why not?
• Are your personal life goals clear? Think about where you want to be in 1, 5 or 10 years.
• Are your business goals still clear, realistic and attainable? Consult with a coach or advisor to put things 'on the edge' again.
• What gives you (again) energy? Make an overview of things that give you energy and try to spend more time on them.
• Avoid getting into a burnout. Burnout creeps into your life very slowly and often unnoticed and is not easily resolved. Get plenty of rest and a healthy lifestyle. Take the Burn-out test www.agrocoach.nl
• Dare to make honest choices, even if they may not be what you had hoped for. A different direction or termination of your company can also be a wise (entrepreneurial) choice.

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs experience the difficulty of increasing regulatory pressure, which means that there is a good chance that they will lose their passion for work, freedom and the company. Take action on time. You can do a lot yourself and do not have to face it alone.

If you would like to discuss this topic further, please contact us mail. 

fat cattle child

Dik Veefkind is an agricultural coach and mediator at AgroCoach. In his blogs he focuses on the psychological challenges of the farmer, such as burnouts and business conflicts. He also supports people entering the grounds in difficult situations.

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