Two out of three Dutch people are positive about Dutch agriculture and horticulture. Farmers and horticulturalists are seen as hard workers and their important role in food production is appreciated. This is evident from research conducted among more than one thousand Dutch people on behalf of LTO Nederland.
Surcharge for sustainable product
The most important outcome of the study, the representative of Dutch agriculture indicated, was that of the 1,038 people surveyed many were prepared to pay more for a recognisable Dutch product with high standards. In addition, 65% of those questioned felt that farmers and market gardeners do not deserve unfair competition from imported products from countries with lower standards in terms of the environment, human rights or animal welfare.
Living next to a greenhouse
Another result of the survey is that half of the Dutch people think that living next to a greenhouse is not a problem. Only fields (77%) and solar fields (51%) are preferred by even more people to living next to other economic activities such as an industrial estate or a motorway.
Appreciation
In a press release accompanying the research results, LTO Nederland writes that 53,000 Dutch agricultural and horticultural businesses 'play a major role in how the Netherlands eats, what our country looks like, and how money is earned'. According to the advocacy group, farmers and horticulturalists are the foundation of almost one tenth of the economy, manage 60 per cent of the land area and guarantee healthy, safe food for a (too) low price.
Independent research bureau Direct Research was therefore asked to ask the Dutch people what they think about farmers, horticulturalists, food production and sustainability. The sector experiences pressure from all sides, but sometimes lacks (financial) appreciation. Now that we know what the Dutch people think*, LTO Nederland will start a discussion with its members in September about what society may expect from the sector. LTO Talks will be organised for that purpose.
*According to the researchers and LTO, after reweighting for gender and age, the study is representative of all Dutch people (18+). The full research report can be viewed here.
