Most of the farmers and citizens feel the gap with the policy Related articles

Farmers and citizens feel a great distance from each other, but above all from politics. This emerges from a research by the agricultural magazine Nieuwe Oogst and the Algemeen Dagblad among almost two thousand farmers and citizens. More than half of citizens and more than 70 percent of farmers believe that narrowing the gap is an important issue for the March 15 provincial council elections. “Farmers and citizens no longer feel heard,” says Esther de Snoo, editor-in-chief of Nieuwe Oogst.

Farmers in particular do not feel listened to by politicians. (Unsplash)

Nearly 60% of citizens experience a gap between urban and rural areas. More than 85 percent among farmers. ‘I have noticed that farmers are moving away from other population groups in the Netherlands, and especially from politics. They do not feel seen in the field of climate change, nitrogen, nature conservation, wolf and meat consumption. The media is given an important role in widening that gap. Especially on social media,’ says De Snoo.

According to De Snoo, citizens raise other issues. “They are mainly concerned about rising energy prices and immigration.”

provincial elections

According to De Snoo, both citizens and farmers have “the need to move beyond polarization”. ‘To see and hear each other. That will is there, so there is definitely hope. Bridging this gap can be/become an important issue in the upcoming Provincial Council elections. (…) The closer you get to politics, the greater the trust. During the debates there is a lot of stiffening, people are really playing for the man. This is seen as a major factor in the lack of trust.’

Hague plans on nitrogen

Nitrogen Minister Christianne van der Wal says she understands farmers’ concerns. “We put a lot on their plate and demand a lot from the industry.” The minister, who herself lives outside the Randstad, senses skepticism in her circle about, for example, plans for nitrogen in The Hague. “I’ve noticed and feel that people have the idea – they can come up with it there, but it doesn’t work like that in practice.”

The cabinet wants to do “everything” to narrow the perceived gap between the countryside and the Randstad conurbation, says Van der Wal. But plans are needed. According to her, the nitrogen crisis must be addressed, because it affects, among other things, the housing market and the Dutch competitive position. You stress the importance of a livable countryside. ‘Associative life, working together, that there’s a supermarket and a bus stop: it’s so important.’

Professional jargon

The minister believes that politicians in The Hague should pay more attention to their use of the language in order to attract more people. “We’re very good at speaking in technical jargon here, but we’re just trying to explain it in an understandable way,” says Van der Wal.

Van der Wal himself was the target of fierce protests by farmers last summer. Not only was she the subject of offensive banners, for example, but she was also visited by angry farmers at his house. Subsequently, riots broke out near her home. Several rioters were arrested and tried.

AuthorSt: BNR Web redactie and ANP
Source: BNR

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