"Agriculture is part of the solution"

Toespraak | 21-04-2010

Speech by Ms. Verburg, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, at the VIV Europe, april 20th 2010, Utrecht.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me start by making you a compliment. You are tackling the obstacles caused by the ash clouds. Meanwhile you are running the fair. I'm very proud of you.

We all know that at the very root of our existence and our economy lies agriculture.

But perhaps surprisingly, what we've only recently come to realise is that agriculture in turn depends on a healthy planet, on thriving nature, on a world in balance. The economy cannot function without ecology, and in countless instances, ecology cannot exist without the economy.

What we must now also realise is that sustainable agriculture is at the root of a better world. Sustainable forms of agriculture can prevent us from turning into the ultimate consumption society, as people elsewhere sink into the depths of poverty and hunger. Sustainable agriculture can prevent further declines in biodiversity. Now is the time for the Netherlands and other countries to establish the conditions needed. Agriculture is part of the solution, not just part of the problem. This is not just about food, but about renewable energy, water, and climate change also. These are the true structural challenges worldwide, which will engage us long after the financial and economic crisis has passed.

While regular agriculture and sustainable agriculture may seem similar, there are important differences. Achieving sustainability through innovation must be our shared ambition. What may be good enough today, might not be tomorrow. It is this conviction that must lead us in further developing the agro-cluster.

And maybe we can achieve more than we thought possible. If we put all the strength, courage, and commitment we can muster into working together towards sustainable solutions, people all over the world will benefit. We can help solve the unprecedented global challenge of feeding nine billion mouths by 2050. We can provide the healthy, protein-rich foods the world so desperately needs. We can actively contribute to solving climate issues, preserving biodiversity, and improving the conditions under which animals are kept. This is in everyone's interest, the world over. I am immensely proud that the Netherlands is playing such a pivotal role in this. The Dutch agro-cluster occupies a leading position, with the Netherlands the second largest agricultural exporter in the world.

Instances of global ambition are all around us here in the Netherlands. Apart from top-notch agricultural institutes, our farmers are among the world's most innovative entrepreneurs. But committed entrepreneurs also include construction builders and installation firms that design clever solutions for housing and manure issues; artists who design barns and homes that complement their surroundings; biologists and agricultural scientists who share their expertise with farmers, and in turn learn from farmers; experts who get together to test innovations in the field; the food sector, which is always on the lookout for new ideas; chefs who visit farms to learn more about sustainable ingredients and major supermarkets searching for distinctive, sustainable products; local teachers and their students, interested in on-the-job training. All over this country professionals and ordinary people are joining forces to address new agricultural initiatives.

All of this creates a perfect setting for sustainable agriculture. But I think it also holds a greater significance. It injects creativity into our society. I am convinced that these active entrepreneurs will strongly influence the lives and dreams of the Dutch and the Europeans and people all over the world in the coming decades. But back to the present.

We are doing relatively well in the Netherlands. Our agriculture and livestock sectors are highly productive, certainly in comparison with production elsewhere. But the question remains how this ties in with our other concerns. How can we combine high productivity with all those wonderful agricultural initiatives? How can we combine our relatively comfortable status quo with people's inspiration and drive? Well, I've come up with a way. And I'd like to share it with you.

My ambition is to make the Dutch livestock sector a fully sustainable, innovative sector in fifteen years. This means production with respect for people, animals, and the environment. The cycles of feed and manure must be closed, and public consensus must be achieved. I have made agreements with business owners, the industry, retailers, suppliers, scientists, and other non governmental organisations in society to work together towards this goal of creating a sustainable sector. Concrete examples include work on systematic innovations, on ways to improve animal welfare, health issues, carbon-neutral production, and on other functions in society at large, such as informing consumers and education.

This broad coalition has now been set in motion, and to great effect:

• The first Rondeel unit was opened not long ago, a new type of housing for chickens that is fully sustainable.
• Strides have also been made in the pig sector. Earlier this month, I received a report containing the designs for housing for pigs that scored high on animal welfare, the environment, financial considerations, and pleasant working conditions.
• In addition, we already have family-style housing and a comfort class housing for pigs, designed to meet the top ten welfare needs of the animals.
• Agricultural entrepreneurs are investing in renewable energy and making residual heat available to residential areas.
• Trials are underway on ways to recover fertilisers from manure. Investments have been made in a biomass plant which will recover phosphate from poultry manure for further use.
• Round Table discussions with stakeholders have proven useful for prompting joint initiatives toward sustainable feeds.

Another party to play a major role in realising our ambitions is the consumer. After all, consumers exercise considerable influence over what is available. Sustainable meat and meat products can be expected to carry a higher price for retailers and consumers. This doesn't have to be a problem, as long as the consumer knows what justifies that difference. How was the product produced for instance? What has taken place during the process? I was very pleased to hear that from mid 2011, the largest Dutch supermarket chain will only stock pork which carries the seal awarded by the Dutch Society for the Protection of Animals, showing it was produced to higher standards of animal welfare.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
'Living off the land, caring for nature' - that's the Ministry's motto and my own. It requires us to look to the future. I believe we must make food production sustainable, across the board. Dutch livestock farming already has experience in this area, and that will only increase in the years to come. I actively encourage it. After all, experiences yield insights, often surprising ones. And more importantly, experience, insight, surprises, and plans all grow when they are shared. This trade fair is a great opportunity to share our and your expertise. I hope that entrepreneurs and consumers all over the world can come together in this way. After all, it's not about what your plans and ambitions are, but that you make them happen!

Enjoy the trade fair. I hope you return home safe and inspired. We are the generation that can and must make it happen. Innovation for sustainability. By sharing ideas and working together. Because that is the way to make it happen so that our children and grandchildren can feed the world in 2050 in a sustainable and healthy way. May your work be blessed.