“The Dutch parliament could use some more Westland." That's the motto of Karin Zwinkels, who is fighting for a seat in Parliament.
She's currently a teacher and a member of the Westland City Council, but after the elections Karin Zwinkels hopes for a seat in Parliament. The wife of a grower, and a grower's daughter, she is of the opinion that The Hague is giving far too little attention to the Westland. "It's not just the Westland, but the entire Greenport," she says. "So in addition to the production areas, everything that is associated with it: agri-logistics, trade, export and energy generation that all contribute to a successful greenhouse sector - a hugely important economic pillar for the Netherlands. Just look at the export value, yield, employment and know-how. The Netherlands is top of the bill and that we must preserve."
Is the position of horticulture threatened?
"There is far too little attention for horticulture. Take geothermal energy. I would like this to be better facilitated. The sustainability of energy is not only important for the greenhouse sector, but for society as a whole. The same goes for healthy food, important for horticulture, but also for society. Horticulture has a positive image: Fruits and flowers, health and happiness. Nevertheless, this positive role is not always reflected correctly in politics. To amend this is my motivation."
Why does this not succeed yet?
"I think the industry itself also needs to learn to make themselves heard more. It's a bit our Westland style - whatever you do, do it as well as possible and that goes without saying. Therefore horticulture commands little attention from other parties."
Still the Dutch government instated a topsector for horticulture.
"That is a good step, but you see that attention is not always translated into policy. There are some issues that do not make things easy in horticulture. I also concentrate on education and I noticed that there is a plan in the pipeline to cut down on green education, while we do need young people in our sector. On behalf of the CDA (Dutch Christian Democrats) representation in our city council, I have submitted a proposal that addresses this problem. This proposal was also adopted in several municipalities. You have to go for it. Regarding the new Law for Work and Security, our vision was that this Law is not working for horticulture, but also not for hospitality, education and construction. Two years ago I cycled to the Parliament building to address this matter - but to no avail. Now the law is being repaired, but the negative effects on workers are already there."
Food features prominently in the coming election. Other Dutch parties (PvdA, D66 and ChristenUnie) have recently declared that they want a Ministry for Food.
"It's a fashionable topic. And of course we mentioned this a long time ago. We never agreed to the Ministry of Agriculture becoming part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. There it gets bogged down in general affairs. Issues such as energy, water, healthy food, must be treated in its entirety, which can only be done if the ministry treats it as such. That other parties share this opinion now, is a welcome bonus - but we emphasize that it is also about fair economy and agriculture. Part of it is that the grower can work in a profitable way, and that the chain is fair."
You are on place 30 of the CDA list with 16 seats according to the polls. What would you choose: 29 seats for the CDA or 20 and you elected with preferential votes.
"I would go for 29 for the CDA. If we would be going to govern, I still might have a chance. The more seats for the CDA, the better. We are a party that looks to the future and works for it. We borrow the world from our grandchildren and that's why we do it. But every vote for me is also a vote for the Christian Democrats, and I would probably need preferential votes. That’s why I call upon horticulture. This really is a special sector that is relevant for the whole chain of trades. This sector needs to be represented."
There is another Westland candidate who explicitly presents himself as horticulture representative.
"You mean Arne Weverling. His know-how of SMEs is also important - but he has no background as a grower’s son, does not come from the horticultural sector itself. It is good to be informed broadly and to share know-how from horticulture. But of course I am the real horticulture candidate. There's no doubt about it."
In recent years we have heard a lot about the malaise in horticulture and the much needed restructuring. Not much has changed, but things are going very well again.
"The urgency for sales and restructuring is now less, but that does not mean we should give up. Now we have to start talking to entrepreneurs to seek out opportunities and possibilities: We have to realize the modernization of cultivation acreage and accelerate energy transition. The good thing of Coalition HOT (a government agency for the horticulture industry) is that it consists of entrepreneurs, government representatives and financiers. This is where you can find each other. We must be alert that the rate of development does not slow down, but to ensure that the Westland, but also the Oostland and other horticultural areas are ready for the future."
Is Parliament or the City Council more effective?
"From the City Council, I have been able to achieve a lot, but you can see at other levels movement is required to support the industry. As a Christian Democrat councilor I have set up a group of horticulture growers from the group representatives and City Council members. We discuss current events and long term issues. Now I do this as a Council member, but these connections I can use throughout the country. As a politician one is always looking for solutions, contacts and how to proceed together. I can certainly contribute to the horticulture sector.
That sounds far from the down-to-earth Westland mentality.
"Of course we combine that with rolling up our sleeves and going at full speed. I love working, I'm used to it and do not look at the time. Especially when there is a goal. And since I now bring in grass-roots matters, I would prefer to play a bigger part in decision making."
That does not sound like a politician from the Hague. Their processes take a long time and require a lot of meetings.
"That will be getting used to, but if you stand for something and have a clear opinion you can really do something. That is what we saw when MEPs came to the Westland. 'They never will come,' was the general opinion, but they were wrong; they came. I'm not saying I can change everything in Parliament, I'm too much of a realist for that. But I am tenacious and I am sure it will succeed at this level."
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