Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit

Gerrit Meester onderscheiden

Toespraak | 02-07-2009

"Een onafhankelijke geest en een verklaard voorstander van de liberalisering van de wereldhandel in agrarische producten." Zo karakteriseerde minister Verburg prof. dr. ir. G. Meester tijdens een plechtigheid op de residentie van de Franse ambassadeur. De heer Meester werd officier in de Franse Orde van Verdienste voor de Landbouw.

Toespraak van de minister van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, bij de presentatie van de Franse Orde van Verdienste voor de Landbouw in Den Haag, 2 juli 2009 (Engelstalig).

Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, Gerrit, Rianne, colleagues and friends,

Is there no end to this man's talents?

That's what I thought when I heard the news.

But Gerrit, it came as no surprise to me to hear that today you would be decorated by His Excellency Ambassador Blarel on behalf of the French Government. It was certainly the most fantastic news.
The decoration is being presented to you for your personal achievements. I, like many people here today, have known for much longer that we had a quite exceptional person in our midst. Someone with remarkable qualities, whose dedication has been inseparable from his work at the Ministry. Someone who loves to share his extensive knowledge with many others. Someone with dedication, but with an independent spirit. I am extremely proud that these qualities have been given such high recognition. Because, if I may turn to French for a moment: "Il n'est pas assez d'avoir de grandes qualités; il en faut avoir l'économie", a s de La Rochefoucauld said. "It is not enough to have great qualities, one must also know how to use them wisely."

And Mr Gerrit Meester certainly demonstrates what this means when it comes to agriculture: avoir l'économie de l'agriculture, knowing how to use agriculture wisely.

With his recommendations, his own maximes, as it were, he has placed agriculture in a European and international perspective. And his views are always thoroughly grounded in science. As I will explain.

Mr Meester always placed the effects of global development at the forefront of European agricultural policy. Particularly in the light of the current crisis, his approach could not have been more appropriate. Because what we experience here and now is happening in other places, now and in the future. That's why it is so useful to have someone at hand who can explain exactly what is going on. Because that is one of Mr Meester's many skills.
Over the years he has built a wide network of international contacts, and he makes good use of them. Not least in his work at the OECD, where he is currently chair of the Committee for Agriculture.

His openness and curiosity towards scientific knowledge makes him invaluable when we develop policy. Because politics, as you know, ploughs its own furrow in a vast field of diverse interests and ideological positions. But science forces us to confront the facts.
Mr Meester has always been able to skilfully combine these two elements, so we are always well prepared in our approach to Europe. And if asked to, he is always more than happy to share his insights with his French colleagues.

And Gerrit Meester always acts with exceptional independence of thought. No one else decides for him what is important and what is not. He makes his own mind about that.
And this says much about the kind of man he is.
However urgent others believe an issue to be, he will never share their belief unless his own considerations lead him to do so.

And it is striking how this approach fosters cooperation with others. With his independent attitude he remains a most loyal servant of the government. And that too is invaluable.

His experience as spokesman of the Comité Spécial de l'Agriculture, has taught. Mr Meester how important it is for Member States to work together in Europe. Because being a Member State of the European Union is primarily a matter of give and take. And it is important to find the right partners.
It is easy to form relationships with Member States that have similar views. But building a relationship with Member States that do not share your views is a different matter altogether. However, it is wise to form such relationships, especially with a State whose opinions carry such great weight. And so two important European agricultural countries, France and the Netherlands, have regular contact with each other. As Member States we differ in our views on the Common Agricultural Policy and its reform. Mr Meester has always shown himself to be a champion of far-reaching reforms; and believes that liberalisation of world trade will bring many benefits. France's position has always been - if I may describe it as such - rather more reserved. Our views on rural policy and the cultivation of energy crops for instance will not always be the same. Differences of opinion happen even in the best families, and Europe is no exception.

But that has not stood in the way of the good contact between the Ministry of Agriculture in The Hague and the French Ministry of Agriculture. Indeed, it has probably acted as a stimulus.
By his participation in international forums, through his personal contacts and his presentations on agricultural policy, Mr Meester's personal contribution in this relationship has been substantial.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I started by quoting from La Rochefoucauld.
He was someone who stood at the beginning of a new era: the age of Enlightenment. Now we in Europe are at the beginning of a new age. An age in which our agriculture will become more closely tied to global developments. And although what I will now say does in no way do justice to the considerable merits of Mr Meester, I will attempt to provide you with a few twenty-first century maxims that reflect them.

The first maxim à la Meester:

* Reason must be the guiding force in the political process, particularly on the international stage. It is the decisive factor in finding common ground between French and Dutch views. A second maxim could be:
* Knowledge must not be ignored, it must be used. And a third:
* If we consider other views and positions and take the right road together, there is enough room for everyone. Then the earth will provide for everyone.

My dear Gerrit,
There is much more I could say about you, but I think the most important things have been said. I greatly value your contribution and commitment.
I am, as I have already said, proud of you.
It is a tremendous pleasure to be here today and to see you being honoured by the French Government in this way. And I believe it is an honour you fully deserve.

Your Excellency,
I am most grateful to you for allowing me the opportunity to say a few words to Gerrit Meester in front of his family, friends and colleagues. Thank you very much.