“1 in 3 jobs threatened and more expensive food due to nitrogen policy”

Because 1 in 3 jobs are at risk of being lost, and the impact on the production and prices of food in the store will also be large, it sounds like.

It seems that few are aware of the concrete impact of the nitrogen dossier on the labor market and food companies. That is why the agricultural organizations and agri-food companies invited the mayors and West Flemish politicians in Tielt this morning for a first wake up call.

“1 job in 3 on shovel”

“The slogan of this campaign is: 1 job in 3 on the shovel”, says Michiel Van Robaeys of the Boerenbond. “I think it’s pretty clear. We fear, as it stands now, that it will have a very big impact.”

Not only agriculture will be hit hard by the nitrogen dossier, says the sector, but also the food industry. Vervaeke-Belavi hatchery in Tielt can already see the storm coming.

Steven Vervaeke of Broeierij Vervaeke-Belavi: “For our company, this means that several customers and suppliers of hatching eggs will be obliged to stop. And the companies that can continue to work will have to reduce numbers. The loss of competitiveness in a European market where the borders are open will lead to less local production and production will shift.”

(read more below the photo)

Adjusting nitrogen policy

Nitrogen policy must be adjusted on a few crucial points to prevent both agriculture and agri-food companies from going under, say both sectors.

Michiel Van Robaeys (Boerenbond): “Local representatives can still increase the pressure in their own parties.”

“We are concerned that just as nuclear energy was a symbol file for the greens, this nitrogen file should not become a symbol file for current policymakers,” says Steven Vervaeke. “If it becomes a symbol file, the ratio is gone.”

There will be 2 more West Flemish wake-up calls for local politicians, in Oostkamp and in Ypres.

Brecht Warnez, Flemish Member of Parliament (CD&V): “It is important that they now communicate all their concerns today, but also formally through the public inquiry, so that we can get started in Brussels. And that we can also inform the other political parties. The farmers live in uncertainty. We have to give them certainty, so that we can also keep food on our plate.”