Government caused farmers ‘great suffering’ for a decade, says National Ombudsman: ‘Don't dismiss them as crazies, they aren't’

The Dutch National Ombudsman, Reinier van Zutphen, has published a critical report concluding that the government has caused significant suffering to farmers over the past decade. The report highlights that agricultural policies have been inconsistent and unclear, leaving farmers in a state of persistent uncertainty. According to the Ombudsman, the government has repeatedly failed to listen to farmers, often treating them with dismissal rather than engaging in honest dialogue. This approach has severely damaged trust between the agricultural sector and policymakers, leaving many farmers feeling marginalized.

Van Zutphen emphasizes that the uncertainty stems from shifting regulations, contradictory government communications, and funding promises that were subsequently altered or removed. He warns that this ongoing instability prevents farmers from making long-term decisions about investments or the future of their businesses. To restore trust, the Ombudsman urges the government to be transparent, stop dismissing farmers' concerns, and involve them in shaping future agricultural policy. He argues that politicians must stop focusing on short-term party interests and instead work together to provide the agricultural sector with clear, reliable prospects.