Farmers want to talk to the province about ‘goose tax’: “Complete insult”

The agreement of compensating 95 percent of the damage was made with the former commissioners, until the number of geese had fallen to the level of 2005, farmer Jack Rijlaarsdam of Boeren tells in Actie Noord-Holland. “Meanwhile, the goose population has increased tenfold, so the damage has not shrunk, but increased. This council has simply brushed aside the agreements with the previous deputies.”

Province absent

The county was not present at the hearing today. There was also unexpectedly no press present during the hearing. “The province does not have the balls to be present. They are hiding behind the recess and behind the fact that they have outsourced it. A complete insult in my eyes,” said an exasperated Rijlaarsdam, who is himself a farmer in Stompetoren.

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The province outsources the fauna damage to the organization BIJ12. They ensure payment of the goose damage to farmers. They were present at the hearing, but did not want to respond in front of the camera.

Potato grower Astrid Francis left the closed hearing earlier and gave a reaction for the camera. Text continues below video.

In a written statement, the province responded as follows: “It is not customary for administrators to be present at the hearing. Farmers who have objected to a decision have the right to be heard. This is a procedure that the provinces have agreed upon. with BIJ12. ​​After the objections have been investigated and handled by BIJ12, it takes a decision on the notices of objection.”

It is significant for cattle farmer Ingrid de Sain from Schellinkhout that the province is not present at the hearing. “So that’s what we run into every time. They don’t take the problem seriously, they don’t take this hearing seriously and they don’t take our opinions seriously. So it remains to mop with the tap,” said De Sain.