Dutch ombudsman launches review of farmers’ struggles amid shifting government policies
The national ombudsman, Reinier van Zutphen, will investigate the impact of "inconsistent" government policies on Dutch farmers over the past ten years, focusing on whether authorities have acted reliably toward the agricultural sector.
Farmers have long faced a complex and changing regulatory environment. “That leads to uncertainty, frustration, and stress,” Van Zutphen told NOS.
The investigation follows years of conversations Van Zutphen has had with farmers across multiple provinces. He said the repeated concerns shared by farmers—ranging from financial difficulties to challenges in planning for the future—prompted a broader review of the consequences when the government leaves citizens without clear direction. “Indecision has consequences,” he said.
Van Zutphen said farmers reported a lack of long-term perspective, affecting many aspects of their lives and businesses. Some face financial strain, others cannot retire, some struggle to buy or sell farms, and many find it difficult to innovate under the prevailing uncertainty. “The future is uncertain for everyone,” he said.
LTO Nederland, the national farmers’ organization, welcomed the investigation. The group said it plans to work closely with Van Zutphen and connect him with its members to provide insights from the farming community.
Next week, Van Zutphen will formally notify caretaker Agriculture Minister Henk Staghouwer (BBB) of the inquiry in a letter. He expects to issue concrete recommendations to government agencies involved in the first half of next year.
