Voorwoord

The Dutch agricultural and horticultural sector is central to the nation’s broad prosperity, providing essential food, employment, and innovation while maintaining the social vitality of rural regions. However, the agro-system is currently under significant pressure from urgent environmental mandates regarding water, soil, climate, and biodiversity. Farmers, employees, and chain partners face uncertainty due to inconsistent policies, high investment costs, and a tightening labour market. The Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER) provides this advice to move beyond polarisation and build a joint foundation for a future-proof system through organised responsibility and institutional renewal.

Samenvatting

A future-proof agro-system must be economically resilient, ecologically sustainable, and socially just. Currently, a lack of clarity and direction prevents stakeholders from taking necessary steps forward. The SER presents four primary recommendations: strengthening trust through a transition to goal-oriented steering, ensuring that sustainability becomes a profitable business model, fostering innovation and a vital countryside, and establishing robust governance. The report emphasises that the government must define the ‘what’ (targets) while allowing entrepreneurs the freedom to determine the ‘how’ (implementation) at the farm level.

Inleiding

The Netherlands holds a strong international position due to its fertile delta lands, favourable climate, and high-quality knowledge infrastructure. To maintain this leadership, the agro-system must evolve into one that strengthens nature and remains adaptive to unforeseen events, such as climate change or geopolitical instability. The SER identifies six “development paths” for farmers, including high-tech closed systems, organic farming, and nature management. Success depends on creating a system where sustainability investments are rewarded and integrated into broader labour market and education policies.

Versterken van vertrouwen

Trust between the government and the agricultural sector has been damaged by a “pendulum” policy approach and ongoing legal disputes. To restore this, the SER advocates for a swift transition to goal-oriented steering (doelsturing). Under this model, the government sets clear, predictable norms derived from European and national targets, which should become legally enforceable by 2035 at the latest. This approach encourages entrepreneurship by rewarding actual emission reductions. Furthermore, the government must take a stronger public lead in rural areas to harmonise the complex array of regulations and regional requirements.

Verduurzaming moet lonen voor toekomstperspectief

Economic viability is critical for sustainability. Primary producers often lack market power and face high costs; for instance, Dutch land prices are nearly eight times the EU average. The SER recommends facilitating chain cooperation to establish sustainable markets where consumers pay fair prices. An active land policy, including a public land bank, should support young and transitioning farmers. Additionally, financial instruments like the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must be better aligned with sustainability goals, and the government should partner with the financial sector to offer flexible arrangements such as interest discounts or grace periods.

Daadkracht voor innoveren, leren en een vitaal platteland

The Dutch “Diamond” knowledge ecosystem is a significant asset, but it requires better direction to meet long-term sustainability challenges. Innovation must move beyond top-down steering to incorporate bottom-up initiatives. The report calls for the protection of vital rural communities, particularly in shrinking regions where agriculture is a major employer. With approximately 2% to 3% of farms stopping annually, it is vital to support multi-functional farm use and lifelong learning. Regional ‘Work Centres’ should provide a central point for schooling and transition guidance, ensuring fair treatment for all workers, including international migrants.

Samen werken aan een duurzame toekomst

The current organisational infrastructure is fragmented and lacks the decisive power required for sector-wide sustainability. The SER proposes a new public-private organisation (PPO) to manage data infrastructure, develop farm-specific performance indicators (KPIs), and accelerate the scaling of proven innovations. This PPO would provide a stable platform for strategic dialogue while ensuring a clear separation between public norm-setting and private implementation. To prevent stagnation during the PPO’s multi-year formation, a temporary strategic ‘consultation table’ should be established to address immediate questions regarding spatial planning and labour.