Don't overplay the hand with the peasant protests

I myself am a farmer's son. So from home I can empathize with the feelings and frustrations of all demonstrating farmers. However, with my experience in the media, I also know that you can quickly overplay the hand in public opinion. For example, by ramming open the door of a provincial house, as happened in Groningen on Monday 14 October.

With the grand demonstration of Agractie and Farmers Defense Force on Tuesday, October 1, the peasantry had built up great credit with the public. No less than 89% of the population supported the farmers, a poll showed. Apart from the knocking over of a fence and a few minor skirmishes, the demonstration was also disciplined and relatively quiet. Partly thanks to the cooperation of the police, who afterwards also received a very large compliment from the organization for their cooperation.

The fact that 3 days later, Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) 'just' announced her new nitrogen policy, with a buy-out scheme for companies that stand in the way of reducing ammonia emissions, understandably increased the farmer's irritation level. He or she did not see and does not see any political results of the protest. And a few days later, the extra policy rules of the provinces were added.

Direction is missing
It is regrettable that there seems to be a lack of coordination between the various farmers' organisations. Farmers Defense Force announced a new national demonstration that will take place on Wednesday 16 October at RIVM and the Binnenhof. Agractie supports this protest, but will soon also organize its own demonstrations in the Randstad. LTO Noord quickly came up with the actions at the provincial houses, with the protest in Friesland as a catalyst. There, the province withdrew the policy rules after a farmers' protest.

The fact that one province gave in on Monday with a procession of tractors in front of the door and the other did not, is special and says something about the total lack of organization, and probably also the slight panic between the provinces and governments. The fact that the province of Groningen stubbornly refuses to announce the removal of the policy rules immediately on the stairs of the provincial government may (as farmers indicate) be called arrogant. On the other hand, it is very questionable what the current Groningen policy rules are legally worth, now that other provinces have suspended them.

But, to ram open the monumental door of the provincial government with a tractor with a front weight, is obviously going too far. Like provoking the police by strawing them with straw and hitting a police horse. This is disastrous for the image of the public, a grist to the mill of the political opponents and also puts a heavy mortgage on the protests that are to come, such as Wednesday. 

Come on foot, go on horseback
Getting public opinion with you is like trust. It comes on foot and goes on horseback. It is a pity that the organization had apparently lost control in Groningen. Keeping the protest under control was an increased risk with the organization of various actions in the provinces. It remains human work. In order to achieve the intended goal, the goodwill of the public remains extremely important.

The political antenna is always primarily aimed at public opinion. If there appears to be a public aversion to the farmers, then politicians also feel supported to continue measures. A successful farmer's protest therefore requires 2 contradictions. On the one hand, enthusiasm and enthusiasm to get the message across, but on the other hand, also mastery to get that message across properly. The action on 1 October showed how this can be done. With regard to the protests that come, it is important to continue the line of the Malieveld.

Eric the Thrush

Eric is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. As a descendant of an arable family, farmer's blood flows through Eric's veins. He considers himself a generalist, but with a preference for economics, trends, markets and marketing.

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.