At 9 a.m. they started their marathon session. Just before midnight, white smoke finally came from Martelaarsplein, where the Flemish government is based. With a knife to their throat, the ministers negotiated various agricultural files all day long. Not passing was actually not an option. Angry farmers had blocked several junctions in the port of Ghent. Without political agreement, the blockades would continue as usual. The agricultural organizations – Farmers’ Union, General Farmers’ Syndicate (ABS) and Groene Kring – were regularly called in to ministers’ offices to test whether the proposals would survive their critical assessment.
The point where things got stuck for hours was the purchase of agricultural land by nature organizations and the government. That drives up the price of land. And additional nature regulations make it more difficult for the agricultural activities of the remaining farmers. Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns (CD&V) took advantage of previous farmers’ protests to put the ‘ground struggle’ at the top of the political agenda. Linked to the drying up of the subsidy flow to Natuurpunt. But Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) put the brakes on and wanted to protect the land purchase.
Ultimately a compromise was reached. The government will not purchase any more agricultural land until October. But there has been a lot of fuss about the exceptions. Demir wanted it to still be possible to purchase agricultural land in Natura 2000 areas, i.e. protected nature. This even concerns land over which rare birds fly. Brouns strongly opposed this. Ultimately, the government can still purchase in all protected nature reserves, which account for 12 percent of the Flemish territory. There are also exceptions, such as for works of general interest or in flood areas. The subsidies for Natuurpunt also remain intact, but the organization is expected to conclude a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the farmers. CD&V has already announced that it will put both points on the agenda for the next government formation.
Most
As is often the case with complex negotiations, everything was linked to everything. A second major bottleneck was the new manure action plan. This includes measures to improve the condition of the watercourses in and around agricultural areas. There has been discussion for a long time about the ban on fertilization in so-called VEN areas, including protected nature. Demir agreed to park that measure for the time being.
© BELGIUM
Compromises have also been reached on other measures. This is about reducing the administrative burden. Open VLD deputy Gwendolyn Rutten joined the table with the idea of simplifying the permit application for farmers. For example, the Manure Bank declaration is being simplified, calendar agriculture (a calendar that requires farmers to fertilize and harvest at certain times) is relaxed and fines for violations are less likely to be imposed.
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There is also a deal about the licensing of water wells. Just like about starting a structural consultation between agricultural and nature organizations. For example, a working group will be established including all sectors involved (agriculture, nature, industry, etc.) that will examine the issues of land use in Flanders. A first report must be ready by July 1, 2024. The working group will initially be chaired by Prime Minister Jambon. Following the example of the construction consultation committee (VBOC) and the industry forum, there will also be a strategic agricultural consultation.
Nitrogen
While the political discussion focused on the battle for agricultural land, many individual farmers focused their resistance mainly on the nitrogen measures. Although agricultural organizations remain critical, the Flemish government does not want to change anything in its recently voted nitrogen decree. Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) made this very clear to his Agriculture Minister Brouns during the discussions on Thursday. However, the Flemish government will quickly enter into discussions with Europe about nitrogen policy and immediately start research into the transition from a deposition to an emission model.
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Will it be enough?
The question is whether the farmers will be satisfied with that. The farmers who paralyzed the port of Antwerp on Tuesday announced that they will continue their actions as long as nothing has changed in the nitrogen decree. The Flemish government hopes that the protests will now come to a halt. Jambon has called on farmers to stop their actions and blockades “that are disrupting our economy”. “We found each other with a strong agreement. We have done our job as far as our powers are concerned,” he said at a press conference.
According to Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns, the (difficult) reached agreement proves the importance of the agricultural sector as a strategic sector in Flanders. According to the CD&V minister, the agreements made meet the concerns regarding legal certainty and the protection of agricultural land.
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By involving agricultural organizations in the consultations, the ministers hope to increase support.
In any case, a days-long political escalation has come to an end for the time being. Earlier this week, government consultations failed. Whereupon farmers and nature organizations manifested themselves more and more clearly. Bond Beter Leefmilieu and Natuurpunt gave a dissatisfied press conference on Wednesday about a leaked government memorandum. Farmers then distributed a letter saying they had been “betrayed” after a conversation with Demir. For the fellow ministers of Brouns and Demir, it was gradually enough. “Something has to come out of it,” said an N-VA member before Thursday’s meeting. “Otherwise the Flemish government is the biggest loser.”
Boerenbond, Groene Kring, ABS respond
Boerenbond CEO Lode Ceyssens made it clear on Thursday evening that he is prepared to defend the agreement with his supporters. But the agreement will be “closely followed”. He sees it as a “new starting point” to return to a consultation model. According to Ceyssens, it is important that agriculture is “recognized as a strategic sector” by the government, but the agreement “does not solve all problems”.
Everything that “has grown awry during four years of the conflict model” cannot be “straightened out in a few days”, it is also said. “The days-long farmer protests are the result of years of uncertainty, polarization around the agricultural sector and decision-making above the farmer’s head. The vote in the nitrogen decree was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The farmers who took to the streets expressed their dissatisfaction and desperation extensively and their voices were heard.”
“It is now up to the Flemish government to ensure that they no longer have to go on the streets,” said Ceyssens. “We count on words to be translated into action.”
© Joris Herregods
Groene Kring, the organization for young farmers and horticulturists, responded that “the package of measures we have reached today can relieve young farmers and help them move forward again.” “For us, however, it is only the beginning,” said interim chairman Maarten Moermans.
“It will be sufficient for some people, insufficient for some people,” ABS chairman Hendrik Vandamme responded. According to him, it is important that the agreement shows that there is “more respect for agriculture and horticulture”. The temporary pause button in the purchase of agricultural land is an important point for ABS. “It is now important that work is done quickly on what is on paper.”