Due to the plans of Defense to expand military training grounds in Drenthe, several farmers are in danger of losing part of their country. That is why Albert Piel and Roel Oldenburger, every owner of a farm, offered a petition in the Lower House. They hope that MPs can thwart the plans.
In the petition ‘Keep the Earth of Drenthe, stop intake agricultural land for defense’, the families emphasize that they understand the needs of Defense for extra terrain, given the war threats in the world. However, they do not agree with the way in which the practice area at De Haar is expanded, because their companies then have to leave.
Piel: “We hope to be able to get a movement in The Hague by telling what actually happens.” According to the farmer, the message of the petition is ready. “We don’t want a training ground so close to us.”
The families present a hybrid use of agriculture and nature as a solution. This means that the Ministry of Defense can use existing agricultural land for exercises and that any damage is compensated to the farmer. This construction would already have been introduced in Germany, among others. “It is handled nicely,” Piel sees the big advantage.
In addition, according to the petitioners, hybrid use is cheaper than expropriation and buy -out of farms.
The current plans would also be at the expense of fertile agricultural land. Defense should make better use of the current site at De Haar, the farmer families think.
According to the initiators, nature reserve Het Witterveld, which is also in the possession of Defense and next to De Haar, can be used as a military training ground.