Good lease policy important in risky times

This weekend the summer time ends and we switch to the normal time, which we also refer to as winter time. With the harvest of the crops, we are closing the very special 2018 growing season. 

In the spring, the crops sown and planted in the southwest were hit by excessive rainfall, requiring overseeding or replanting in a number of fields. This was followed by the driest summer since 1976, which decimated the yield in those areas where irrigation was not allowed or allowed.

In the summer, part of South Holland was again hit by a prolonged rain shower with an excessive amount of millimeters of water, which resulted in further damage. Then a summer harvest period started: until autumn the last cuts of grass, maize and arable crops can be harvested under good conditions.

Not everyone benefits
My contractor used to say that he would rather have a good autumn than a good summer. This year we had both. My father would say that a dry year is coming to you, meaning better prices. Because many potatoes are grown under contract nowadays, not every grower benefits from these higher prices.

In addition, the yield differences this year are enormous, especially depending on the irrigation options. For example, some arable farms are confronted with a combination of low kilogram yields and lower contract prices.

Business risk? 
Livestock farms were confronted with higher costs for feed purchases without being offset by higher selling prices. Both types of companies can even get into financial trouble. All this is often dismissed as business risk. If that is the case, the government and also the water boards have a heavy responsibility to optimize the external production conditions for agriculture.

Of course, this also includes a well-functioning lease policy with adequate protection of the rights of the lessee. In a meeting with the minister, the BLHB presented our vision on the revision of the lease system and thus provided a total solution. The minister has promised to determine her position. That is not without obligation. Existing lease agreements must be respected.

Content lease policy leading
The BLHB has made constructive proposals for new regular and flexible leases. The BLHB has also proposed a simple solution for the lease price fluctuations. This puts a total solution within reach.

At the same time, we are aware that there is renewed lobbying for the Spelderholt proposal - rejected by BLHB and NAJK. The question arises whether the political game of the FGP and LTO should be a reason for a review of the tenancy system. In the interest of agriculture I hope that the content will continue to lead.

Peter van der Eijk

Piet van der Eijk was the chairman of the Association of Land Tenants and Own Land Users (BLHB) from 2012 to the beginning of 2019. He also has an arable farm in the Biesbosch polder in the outskirts of the Eiland van Dordrecht.

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