Three recovery companies in the North – who wish to remain anonymous for fear of less work – refuse to tow tractors on behalf of the police in places where protests are getting out of hand. They believe that citizens are being played against each other in this way and argue that the defense and police should use their own resources to tow vehicles.
“I am not afraid, but I am afraid of the possible consequences,” reports one of the salvage companies. “I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to go to work today if I had to tow that confiscated tractor on the A28. I don’t think it’s right that they use civilian companies for this. We have nothing to do with it.”
Another company says: “We don’t tow farmers. It’s a conscious choice. It’s not out of fear, it’s just not a win-win situation. I come across a lot of tractors along the way. When I take them off they don’t start anymore the side for me. Those are emotions. I understand those emotions. I have acquaintances, friends and family who are farmers. Every recovery company has to deal with that.”
A third recovery company has a contract with a government subcontractor, but has not been approached for the job on the A28. “I don’t support how the government is dealing with the nitrogen problem. I support the farmers. The police can drive slowly for a better collective labor agreement and farmers are not allowed to drive on the highway. I also have drivers on the road. They also suffer from it. of. But that’s just the way it is.”
Logixc, part of the ANWB, has a contract with the government for replacement transport, storage and transport. The company in turn outsources this assignment to salvage companies throughout the country. To prevent salvage companies from having to tow tractors belonging to acquaintances, companies are now being called in from further afield. The company cannot confirm that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find recovery companies willing to tow a tractor; no spokesperson is available.
Since 1 April, the salvage company in the North that has a contract with Logixc has included the option to say ‘no’ to a job. Previously, an order could not be refused. The recovery company considers whether or not to carry out a job on a case-by-case basis. But he believes that if the police confiscate a vehicle, they should make sure that it is towed away themselves.