Farmer organizations have varied responses to the province’s plans in TLGD. So finds LTO NorthChairman Arend Steenbergen is ‘positive that the province wants to work on prospects for agriculture and focuses on making development possible again’. “At the same time, we see that the plan is not yet finished, there are really important parts missing in the elaboration,” says Steenbergen.
It too Drenthe Agricultural Youth Contact (DAJK) is concerned about the consequences for farmers. The advocate for young farmers believes that ‘steps’ have been taken by the province, but lacks a ‘well-stocked toolbox’ with measures that farmers can use.
Agraction disapproves of TLGD in strong terms. According to this interest group, the province of Drenthe risks hitting farmers ‘disproportionately hard’ with this plan. Just like DAJK and LTO, Agractie lacks substantiation of plans, which raises the fear that permitting will remain stuck.
Of these farmers’ parties, LTO and DAJK were discussion partners of the province. The same goes for the Nature and Environment Federation (NMF). Director Reinder Hoekstra thinks it is positive that there is a plan. “The province cannot do it alone,” he says. “That is why we have to work together and put our shoulders to the wheel. But we should not celebrate too early. TLGD needs clear frameworks and assurance, otherwise permits will not be granted.”