Will there be an agriculture minister or not?

The new Rutte III cabinet will most likely include a Minister of Agriculture. This is certainly not until the end of October, when the new cabinet presents itself on the King's platform. Until then, it remains speculation.

A day after the appearance of the coalition agreement 'Confidence in the future' of VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie there is confusion about the appointment of a Minister of Agriculture in the Rutte III cabinet. 

On Wednesday morning, the AD, among others, reported that there is no room for a minister of Agriculture in the new cabinet to be formed. Later that day, other media reported that there will indeed be an agricultural ministerial post. The AD also reported that there is a Minister of Agriculture comes, based on information from 'insiders'. 

A minister, not a department
The fact is that when the new cabinet is formed, account is taken with a Minister of Agriculture† This minister will not have his own department, but will probably have his own budget.

VVD and CDA have promised the agricultural sector that they will have their own minister. CDA or ChristenUnie will supply this minister. It is important that this minister exudes a 'farmer feeling', introduces more common sense into The Hague politics, strives for less bureaucracy and knows his way around Brussels.

HThe CDA has been working with representatives from agriculture and horticulture since the election results to fill in the agricultural ministerial post. The agricultural sector is well represented in the coalition agreement (more than 2,5 pages). According to Marc Calon from LTO Netherlands this has never happened before. He says he is fighting together with employers' organization NCO-NCW in the arena in The Hague for a Minister of Agriculture.

Remarkable
If the Rutte III cabinet gets a Minister of Agriculture again, it will be remarkable. It was precisely in Rutte I (2010) that the Department of Agriculture perished and was transferred to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. When the Rutte II cabinet was formed, the name was shortened to Ministry of Economic Affairs and the name Agriculture even disappeared completely. 

Now a different wind is blowing and a minister of Agriculture is on the agenda again. This is also apparent from the coalition agreement, which is very peasant-minded. This does not alter the fact that agriculture will also have a major sustainability challenge, but that can also offer farmers opportunities.  

Speculate
Agriculture deserves its own ministerial post. Judging by the content of the coalition agreement, this government seems to recognize this. Whether there is really room for a Minister of Agriculture in the Rutte III cabinet depends on all kinds of political factors and practical matters.

On Thursday 12 October, Rutte will officially start with the details of the departments and the associated ministers. Then the House of Representatives appoints him as the formal formateur of the Rutte III cabinet. Until he is on the King's platform with his team at the end of October, speculation continues.

Esther de Snoo

Chief editor Boerenbusiness. Nl

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