Land and space are scarce in Brabant. No one knows exactly what our landscape will look like in ten years. Is there still room for large-scale livestock farming? It is one of the most important election issues here in the province. The problem is that Brabant has no long-term vision at all about how space should be divided. This is what Professor of Spatial Development Joks Janssen says in the podcast ‘Brabant on the way to November 22’. But choices have to be made now.
Dairy farmer Tim de Wit longs for clarity. By pushing forward choices, (young) farmers do not know where they stand. As a result, important choices about investments cannot be made. He emphasizes that many young farmers want to participate in change and really see that things have to be different, but they want to know how.
Hagar Roijackers is the deputy for Nature, Water and Area-oriented approach of the province. Before the summer, the first ‘charcoal sketch’ for a new layout of the Brabant landscape was sent to nitrogen minister Van der Wal. According to the ministry, ‘a good attempt’, but still far from sufficient. Solid choices are still lacking.
Land policy
According to Roijackers, in an ideal situation you would take 15 years for radical changes. But that time is not there and that makes it difficult. “We have to think very carefully before we make irreversible choices.” All three discussion partners agree that it will be ‘the fight for the land’. Janssen: “But you have to choose what you want to use the land for.”
Innovation remains the magic word in Brabant. Focusing on new techniques and, for example, new crops can be very useful. Consider growing crops that can be used in the construction of houses, says Roijackers. Janssen is also in favor of innovation. “But smart ones.” Developments in the field of protein transition and cultured meat, for example.
Low-emission floors
He calls the fact that farmers in Brabant are obliged to purchase a low-emission housing system as ‘stupid’ innovation. It is not a solution to an existing problem. It recently emerged that the new mandatory stable floors for dairy cattle do not reduce nitrogen emissions at all.
Tim de Wit also has such a floor. “I have no idea what will happen with that now. The province says that I have fulfilled my obligation, but what happens if someone goes to court?”
New cabinet, new policy
With the fall of the cabinet, things have not become easier, says Roijackers. “For example, the province is still waiting for the detailed options for farmers when it comes to fewer livestock or relocating companies. Without that clarity, it is difficult to make plans.”
Watch episode 1 of Brabant here on the way to November 22 about living environment and agriculture
Or listen to the podcast in your favorite podcast app
In the run-up to the elections on March 22, Omroep Brabant is publishing three podcasts about themes that play an important role in Brabant. Political reporter Tessel Linders talks to guests who look at the topics from their own expertise. A discussion about Asylum and migration will follow on November 10. On November 17 about social security and broad prosperity
Debate of the South
In the run-up to the elections for the House of Representatives, Omroep Brabant, together with Omroep Zeeland and L1 in Limburg, will hold the Debate of the South on Saturday, November 18. The broadcast can be seen live on Saturday from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The commentary can be viewed after 9 p.m. on Brabant+ and on the Omroep Brabant website/app. The national theme channel NOS Politics and News also broadcasts the debate live.