LTO wants crisis measures for farmers and farmers against drought

Agriculture and Horticulture Organization LTO wants crisis measures for farmers and horticulturists. The reason for the call is the current drought, which is the largest ever recorded in the Netherlands.

Three crisis measures are the most urgent and Minister Schouten of Agriculture must present strong arguments, according to the association of interests. For example, farmers and producers need to be able to irrigate longer and longer. Farmers must also be able to grow fodder for livestock during the winter and they should have time to drive manure.

"Crops die on Earth if they do not get water," says Marc Calon. "Water authorities must give permission to irrigate longer and longer." According to him, it is understandable if it is not allowed during the day, but an exception must be made at night.

Hunger

In addition, there is no grass and corn and cows are already eating winter supplies. "This means that there is no stock at all for the winter and no food for winter animals will have to be slaughtered or they will starve." LTO wants to sow exceptions to rules and forages in autumn instead of stolen crops

Importing fodder from neighboring countries is not an option, says Calon, because the country is dry and that there is shortage

measure LTO wants farmers to be able to drive manure for two more weeks. This prevents excess manure and allows crops to grow as much as possible by the end of summer.

Damage

It is too early to give an estimate of the damage caused by drought in the agricultural sector. Financial damage depends in part on selling prices.

In Zeeland, there are farmers who really have problems, says the LTO. "The spring was extremely wet, the farmers could sow late, the drought is great and the water is mown, so it does not rain." There is no bankruptcy yet, but there are farmers who are already reporting payment problems.

Minister

Minister Schouten is on vacation, but a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture says that there are contacts with various organizations in the sector and that various requests have been received in relationship with drought.

"We are kind with requests where we can help with practical measures and tighten the rules, then we look at that," says the spokesman. "When it comes to compensation for the consequences of the weather, this is not the case, and farmers can be assured against this. "