In an interview with BNR Nieuwsradio, Agriculture Minister Piet Adema says the talks have not stopped, as reported earlier today. “But if we don’t reach an agreement – which I don’t assume – the government itself will come up with a position.”
The negotiations on the agricultural agreement have not failed and are not even at a standstill. Agriculture Minister Adema says so. He says he doesn’t recognize himself in the coverage of the day, that he insinuated the above.
“In the coming period we will hold in-depth discussions in smaller committees,” said the minister, “to see where the bottlenecks still lie and how we can find solutions.”
The parties could withdraw
The minister hopes to have it ready by mid-May. “By then it should be clear whether the deal will be reached.” The ultimate goal of such a broad agricultural agreement is to clarify the transition of the rural area in the long term.
Adema says he wants the widest possible support for the agriculture deal, but at the same time admits that the parties could withdraw. Farmers Action Group Agactie, among others, left the consultations at the end of March.
«I don’t know if we will be able to keep all the parties on board», says Adema, «certainly not in the phase in which we have to make sharp choices. But the real commitment is that we have a very broad support base.’
A few more weeks is fine
“We are talking about very big things,” said the agriculture minister. ‘This is agriculture in 2040 and it will affect all farmers. It has to be done carefully and there has to be support.’ That’s why the minister says he won’t mind if the process takes a few more weeks.
Plus, there’s trust at the table to have the conversation,’ he repeats. ‘The differences are big and the discussions are tough, but I’m confident we’ll get through it. I think it’s still possible.
But if talks on an agricultural deal fail — which Adema says he doesn’t take for granted — he says the cabinet will take a stand on its own.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
