CDA makes ‘painful choices’ for farmers: smaller livestock is needed | Inland

After much deliberation, the CDA makes the turnaround. According to MP Derk Boswijk and the Scientific Institute of the Christian Democrats, farmers will have to adapt because society views the sector differently than ten years ago. “In the Netherlands we want to live, recreate, exercise and do business in a clean environment. That is making choices on a small piece of earth.”

Farmers are putting pressure on the natural environment, writes the CDA. “Despite being the most efficient and environmentally friendly farmers in the world, the impact on our small country has become too great.” The CDA wants to look for a ‘new balance between the agricultural sector and the carrying capacity of the earth’. The party sees that as good stewardship.

In places where the soil cannot cope, farmers will have to close the barn doors. This can be done through generous stoppage schemes, but also by relocating companies to suitable sites.

Another CDA plan: to turn farmers into a kind of forest rangers. If they free up farmland for nature, they can receive government money to manage it.

driving away farmers Boer

“Really, a very remarkable turn,” says SP MP Sandra Beckerman about the CDA vision piece. “But brave and necessary”, she judges with satisfaction.

“I think that the CDA has finally said goodbye to farmers as supporters”, sniffs Caroline van der Plas of the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB). “Do they sometimes want to steal votes from D66?” she wonders, bewildered.

BBB sees nitrogen as a legal problem. The party prefers to focus on better measuring nitrogen. “We are now operating on assumptions.” Van der Plas also questions the global effect of shrinking the Dutch livestock population. “If we drive farmers out of here, it just moves it across the border.”

The CDA tournure comes a day before new farmers’ protests are planned. It is expected that again many hikers will come to the Malieveld. This was already the case before the corona crisis broke out. Farmers criticize, among other things, the swaying nitrogen policy.

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