The cabinet, various farmers’ organizations and other parties involved sat at the table for almost 24 hours. But an agricultural agreement was not reached this week. Also sitting at that table was Roy Meijer from Witteveen, chairman of the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK).
Meijer tells in the radio Drenthe program Cassata that they could not agree on four points that they consider important. “It’s still quite possible to clap on that,” says Meijer.
Among other things, no compromise was reached on the compensation for landscape management. “If you do agricultural nature management as a farmer, you must receive a very decent compensation for it. You must do this over a long period of time and the government must also guarantee it,” says Meijer.
A second point is the protection of prospects for young horticulturists and farmers, such as sustainability. The third point has to do with manure and soil under farms. “And the fourth point is a new point in the discussion: nitrogen. These are the points that can make and break it,” says Meijer.
Negotiations will continue in the coming weeks. It is important to Meijer that there is a plan for the future. And no, it’s not just about money. “It’s also about how you stand side by side as a government, as a market, as a farmer when things get difficult. Do you let each other fall? that you all do your best, and the world is unruly and you all help each other get back on track. I haven’t had that feeling for a long time, and that must be reflected in the agreement.”