Symposium commemorating the 25th anniversary of Meteoconsult
Er is een volwassen relatie nodig tussen de publieke meteorologische organisatie KNMI en private counterparts als Meteoconsult. Het is tijd de gespannen verhoudingen en emoties achter ons te laten en samen te kijken naar een taakverdeling die recht doet aan de publieke belangen en aan de behoefte van burgers en bedrijven aan actuele informatie. Dat zei secretaris-generaal Riedstra op 13 mei bij een symposium ter gelegenheid van het 25-jarig bestaan van Meteoconsult. Als de markt bepaalde diensten beter en goedkoper kan verlenen zonder dat de publieke zaak in de knel komt, dan moet de overheid een stap terug doen, aldus de SG.
Mr Otten (dear Harry), Mr Marshall, Mr Marbouty, Mr Van Woerkom, ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we are celebrating a Dutch success story.
What started out, 25 years ago, as one man’s dream, is now an international enterprise.
Meteoconsult has opened up new horizons.
In enterprise.
In knowledge.
In the relationship between the market and the government.
The man responsible for all this is Harry Otten.
Scientist. Weatherman. And until 1985: a civil servant.
Working for the ministry I now have the honour of serving as secretary-general.
How on Earth could we have let him go!
Last month, Harry Otten was presented with a Royal Honour for his many merits: Officer of the Order of Orange Nassau.
My warmest congratulations!
25 years of Meteoconsult.
Harry, I expect it will not be easy to say goodbye to your brainchild.
The company in which you have invested so much passion.
But I know for sure that you will be keeping close track.
And that you will continue to be involved with the company.
In 1985, Meteoconsult was one of the first weather companies in Europe.
The advent of this company brought ‘stormy weather’ to the Netherlands.
Not at first, however. In its early days, Meteoconsult developed without any fuss.
Yet upon reaching puberty, this young fellow increasingly started to defy his ‘parent’, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute or KNMI.
That’s the way the cookie crumbles at a certain age: pushing boundaries.
Meteoconsult embarked on ever more activities in which the KNMI also engaged:
- Tailored traffic information,
- shipping and off-shore services,
- farming information,
- research and model development.
The government responded like a normal parent, setting boundaries and imposing rules. In 2000, a law was implemented defining who was to do what. A law in which the government’s field of operations was clearly separated from the scope of the market.
Problem solved?
Not in the least.
Meteoconsult remained a bit rebellious.
Meanwhile, the world around us has changed.
Over the past 25 years, the market for weather information has expanded a great deal. Many more weather companies emerged.
In the old days, we had the TV weather forecast, the shipping report and the farming news.
However, within a matter of decades the need for information among private citizens and companies has exploded.
Ever more.
Ever faster.
Ever more precise.
Ever more customised.
In addition, technological progress has boomed. Technology continues to advance. Weather satellites,
super computers,
high-speed Internet and remote measurement.
These have lifted the meteo field to an entirely different level.
Its significance is increasing year by year. Our society cannot function without you. Nor can our logistics. Our food supply, our flood protection, our infrastructure. Our holiday planning…
Something no-one would have thought possible 25 years ago is now nothing out of the ordinary.
Everyone has his or her own, personal weather forecast, any time they want it. That is increasingly becoming common practice. It is a trend that cannot be stopped. And thank goodness for that.
So, what does all this mean for the relationship between private and public meteo-organisations?
Currently, relations are slightly tense. At times, emotions run high.
We should break free from those emotions. They are exhausting and we can put our energy to better use. For example, to further improve the services we provide and expand our expertise.
Meteoconsult is past its teens now. I am arguing for an adult relationship.
Let us approach one another in an open and fair manner. Let us jointly work out a division of tasks that does justice to both the public interest and the need for up-to-date information among citizens and companies.
The government is in favour of growth with regard to services and products. Meteoconsult has demonstrated the importance of seizing market opportunities. This generates high-quality jobs and innovation.
And that is not all. As you know, the government is facing serious cutbacks.
All the ministries – including ours – are doing everything they can to improve efficiency.
We aim to offer the population maximum value for each and every tax euro. If the market can provide certain services in a better and cheaper way without compromising public interest, then the government should take a step back.
That also goes for the KNMI. Under the coalition agreement, it is our job to review its tasks, also with an eye to possible privatisation. That is what we are doing now. Something the weather companies are involved in as well.
This raises quite a few fundamental questions to be answered.
A crucial issue is safeguarding public responsibilities. For example, our protection against flooding. And safe transport. How can we best arrange this?
Another issue to be safeguarded is that the Netherlands must meet its international obligations at all times.
One thing is clear: a forced separation between private and public has no future.
State Secretary Atsma has decided to put off the bill to amend the KNMI Act. In the meantime, we shall develop our view of the future.
The input of the private weather companies is of major importance to that end.
Later on this year, the State Secretary will inform the House of Representatives regarding the state of affairs. Attention will be focused on an adult relationship between the government and the business sector.
It is important that we also look across our borders. The weather knows no bounds. That is precisely why international co-operation is essential.
Meteoconsult is already operating on a European scale, with highly positive results.
Fortunately, ever more national weather institutes across Europe are joining forces. Collaborations are underway in the fields of satellites, weather models, data collection and climate studies.
I am inclined to think that even more gains can be achieved here. Thus, as European partners, we can further increase the efficiency and quality of our efforts. Serving citizens, companies and the public interest even better!
Dear Harry, over the past 25 years you have built a special company.
Not many people can boast a career like that.
It is comforting to know that even you are off the mark sometimes.
The Elfstedentocht, the 11-city skating marathon in Friesland you predicted last year, never took place…
To my regret, as a Frisian.
Predicting the weather remains the work of man.
Yet you have pushed back the boundaries in this area.
You were a ‘Rebel with a Cause’.
Many thanks for all the innovations you have accomplished!
Thank you for your attention.