According to Bartje de Gauw of the farmers’ organization ZLTO Altena-Biesbosch, the Boerenerfdag Altena in August is certainly not a protest manifestation. “The visitors will of course also talk about the plans of the government and the farmers’ protests. Current events are part of it, but our 17th Boerenerfdag is not intended to cause a stir or sensation.”
The Boerenerfdag will be held again for the first time after two corona years. This will take place on 27 August at the Buffelgaard Verschure water buffalo farm in Wijk en Aalburg. The organization lies with the local ZLTO, the Agricultural Nature Association (ANV) and the regional product organization Puur from Altena.
In the twenty years that farmyard days have been held in the Altena region, the government and farmers have never been so diametrically opposed. The organization does everything in its power not to let the current problems dominate and is counting on a traditionally pleasant family day.
“The purpose of our Farmer’s Day is to introduce visitors to the beautiful sides of farms in the Altena region,” says ZLTO’er Bartje de Gauw. “We are going for a positive approach, even now. Especially now. especially not intended to cause commotion and sensation.”
“No situations because we don’t want to scare people.”
Richard Verschure owns the water buffalo farm with about two hundred water buffalo, one hundred of which are calves. “I don’t expect the current problems between government and farmers to overshadow our Farmer’s Day,” he says.
“The emphasis is placed on an ordinary Boerenerfdag, an outing for old and young. We’re doing what we’ve always done and that’s opening up our business to the public. Bringing farmers and citizens closer together in a positive way.”
Local ZLTO chairman Bartje de Gauw: “We will soon also have a stand at the company. We will of course receive questions about the current situation and we will answer them.”
Berdine den Hertog of the Boerenerfdag organization agrees with him. “We want to introduce people to a working company as neutrally as possible. It is the chance to let people form their own opinion. We certainly don’t want situations because we don’t want to scare people.”
“If the flag is flying at all, then it will be flagged in a normal way.”
When the Dutch flag flies on the Boerenerfdag in Altena, is that flag upside down or just? ZLTO leader De Gauw: “If the flag is already flying, the flag will be flagged in a normal way. Then the flag hangs straight: red-white-blue.”
“Why? Because there are quite a lot of people who are disturbed by flags hanging upside down, especially veterans. And our Boerenerfdag is not a protest manifestation,” he emphasizes.
