Today, the PBL is publishing its report Large assignments in a limited space . The planning bureau rightly points out that we are facing serious challenges in the use of our land and the distribution of space. The cluttering of the landscape hurts farmers and citizens. However, the PBL does not recognize that more space, not less, is needed for farmers and horticulturists to meet more social wishes. LTO already pointed this out in its Land Vision 2020 published last month.
“The PBL rightly points out that we are facing major challenges in the use of our land. The fragmentation and cluttering of the landscape, with gray boxes from the logistics industry and sun meadows made of blue glass hurts farmers and citizens, according to research among the Dutch population. LTO Nederland makes concrete proposals in the Land Vision 2020 to better deal with the space we have available in our fertile delta, in the interests of society and the agricultural sector, ”says Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of LTO Nederland.
“It is a pity that the PBL does not seem to understand that more space is needed for farmers and horticulturists to meet social wishes such as extensification, nature-inclusive agriculture and the cow in the pasture. Moreover, nature seems to be reduced to Natura 2000, while farmers and horticulturists as managers of the landscape are committed to biodiversity, meadow birds (for meadow birds you do need a meadow …), but also recreation in the green landscape and a dynamic countryside where people wanting and being able to live, work and live.
Some of the assumptions and recommendations in the report therefore seem to be in line with the wishes and needs of the Dutch population, including Dutch farmers and market gardeners. Agriculture in our country is the most efficient and cleanest agriculture if you look at it internationally. Our footprint is low. There is much appreciation for this outside of our country. Farmers are disturbed that this craftsmanship is being put away. This does not alter the fact that steps have to be taken, to which LTO Nederland also contributes. The farmer and horticulturist is part of the solution, they must be given the space to do so – not get in the way. ”
