Red diesel icing on the cake, but the ball is in Brussels

In the run-up to the House of Representatives elections, social security was the major theme. That is why it is good that the newly forged coalition adds the name food security to the agriculture department and also pays tribute to fisheries. This is more than just symbolic policy of the new cabinet, which says it wants to champion the agricultural sector, but is highly dependent on Europe for this.

Not so long ago, agriculture no longer had its own department and now it appears that the most pro-farmer party in the Netherlands will be the new agriculture minister. In that respect, things can move quickly, despite the fact that the agricultural sector often still thinks that its influence in The Hague is limited. Just like about the new Prime Minister, speculation has already started about who will hold this office. An extremely tough job, especially to get the panels moving around nitrogen and derogation in Brussels.

Red diesel
You could say that the agricultural section of the coalition agreement exudes BBB positions. It is striking that not only the focus is on the major themes, but that something tangible such as red diesel a comeback will make. Within the ranks of other parties, probably no one had thought of reintroducing this, but it was still etched in the collective memory of Caroline Van der Plas' party that this had been taken away in 2013 as an austerity measure. A practical measure that benefits the farmer's revenue model without making food more expensive. Farmers will have to be patient for a while, because the reintroduction will not take place until 2027. Farmers in Germany are probably a bit jealous. At the beginning of this year, the abolition of the tax benefit on agricultural diesel was the reason for major farmer protests there.

Brussels willingness
But the new coalition will not come about with red diesel alone and moreover, haste is required. In the short term, it is important to find a solution to the manure crisis for livestock farming. In addition, there is of course the controversial nitrogen policy, on which the new coalition has completely different views, despite the fact that the VVD will participate in government again. The new cabinet is highly dependent on these files Brussels willingness which so far seems limited. But this may change if the distribution of seats changes soon after European political elections to be held next month. For the time being, farmers have to make do with militant slogans that the new cabinet wants to do everything it can to find solutions to these apparently tough problems.

In any case, the new government will take a different tack compared to the policies of recent decades. A business cabinet with a prime minister without a mandate from the voter, and with free-spirited party leaders who will take their seats in the House. Perhaps this will be the perfect implementation of the new administrative culture, although at the same time you may also fear that this colorful collection with three of the four inexperienced governing parties will soon be at loggerheads with each other. 

Recognition 
Now about the new name: the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality will be renamed Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. What's in a name?, say the British, but the new name is more than just symbolic politics. It is recognition of the often forgotten fishing sector in our country. It also underlines that food security cannot be taken for granted and therefore requires policy.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness and Food Business. He also closely follows the raw materials markets and focuses on animal proteins such as dairy and meat. He regularly interviews leaders from the agricultural sector and the food world.

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