The video of farmer Jolanda Nooijen (53) from Volkel has been widely circulated on social media in recent days. “I believe that almost a million people have seen me,” she says, somewhat stunned. In a vlog she let her frustration run wild. “I can’t believe that all the crops here on my land have to be harvested around this time next year,” she says in that video. “How can they think of that in The Hague?”
The reason for the angry video is the new guidelines for arable crops. It says that many crops that are currently still in the ground must be harvested by 1 October next year. “Look around you. Potatoes, celery, carrots… it should all be out,” she says desperately to the camera.
Jolanda’s video was shared by Caroline van der Plas from BBB:
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Bart Voet of the ZLTO in Uden confirms that farmers like Jolanda are being seriously affected by the latest plans. In Jolanda’s case, 9 of the 11 crops he grows must have been harvested by October 1. “That means there is less yield, but also less work, less fresh vegetables and less income.”
“Our wishes did not include the desire to shorten the harvest season.”
The plans come as a surprise. In recent months, farmers’ organizations have been able to indicate their wishes for the future. “There was no wish to shorten the harvest season”, the ZLTO man also sounds a bit frustrated.
According to the government, the advantage of early harvesting is that less nitrate or fertilizer disappears into the soil and water. The plants are gone, so they no longer need to be fertilized and crops can even be placed that absorb the nitrate residues.
The government does this in order to meet the wishes of ‘Brussels’ to improve water quality in the Netherlands. “But there is no shortening of the harvest season”, Bart Voet of ZLTO reacts somewhat irritated.
“I am overwhelmed by all the reactions.”
Farmer Jolanda’s frustration has reached many people. “I get a visit from members of the Senate who want to talk to me.” Caroline van der Plas also called this plan an example of failing policy. She shared Jolanda’s video with her followers.
The plans for harvesting earlier are not final yet. Objections can be submitted until November 18.
Meanwhile, Jolanda no longer looks on social media. “I am overwhelmed by all the reactions. My video has been shared on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Despite many messages of support, not all reactions are pleasant. I lie and don’t know what I’m talking about, some people say. I stopped reading.”
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