3.4 Farmers' organisations
General farmers' organisations serve the social and economic interests of the farmers. The Dutch Organisation for Agriculture and Horticulture (LTO) represents the interests of all regional, technical and sectoral organisations of farmers and growers in the Netherlands. Other farmers' organisations represent special groups like young farmers, or work on a specific theme, such as the promotion of organic farming and a shift in agricultural policies. Most of the organisations have a department for development cooperation and provide opportunities for exchange. They also participate in the debate on sustainable development in the Netherlands. Tension has always existed between intensive agricultural production methods and protection of the environment. The actual implementation of environmental policies and the redirection of investment by individual farmers increases this tension.
Agriterra was founded in 1997 by the Dutch rural people's organisations: LTO-Nederland and its regional affiliates, the Dutch rural women's organisations and their federation (CPVO), the National Cooperative Council for Agriculture and Horticulture (NCR), and the Dutch Agricultural Youth Organisation (NAJK).
Agriterra's goal is to promote, facilitate and support lasting cooperation linkages between rural people's organisations in the Netherlands and in developing countries.
Agriterra elaborates long term cooperation programmes that make it possible to strengthen present and future contacts between rural people's organisations. Agriterra cooperates with rural people's organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. The development cooperation does not take place through governments or intermediaries, but is direct: from farmer to farmer, from rural woman to rural woman, from cooperative society to cooperative society.
Biologica is the umbrella organisation for organic farming and nutrition. It was founded in 1992 to increase the knowledge of its member-organisations about the market of organic products. It deals with consumer information, market development and the strengthening of working relationships within the sector. It publishes information materials (like the EKO-guide that includes all sales outlets of organic products, the Green Trade Guide for manufacturers and traders, and the EKO-Monitor with figures and analysis on the latest developments in the sector), maintains a website, and is the voice of the sector towards the press.
Biologica works closely with NGOs to achieve the right conditions for the further growth of organic production. The following organisations are affiliated with Biologica: Federation of Organic Farmers (FBB); the Association of Organic Producers and Manufacturers (VBP); the Association of Retail Traders in Natural Foods (VWNR); and the supermarket umbrella organisation CBL. Biologica coordinates a group of 26 NGOs and trade bodies working towards increasing the size of the organic sector. At an international level Biologica is a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
The BD-Vereniging is a non-profit organisation for the development of biodynamic agriculture, founded in 1937. Anybody with an interest in biodynamic agriculture can be a member. The association owns the trademark 'Demeter', the international symbol for biodynamic agriculture produce. The organisation engages biodynamic farmers, food processors and trade companies dealing with 'Demeter' products. Its aim is the further development of biodynamic agriculture through the use of the trademark, the issuing of information materials for members, and the organisation of workshops and conferences. The Association is not focused on environmental protection, but the concept of biodynamic farming and gardening includes a healthy environmental development.
LTO-Nederland represents the combined force of entrepreneurs in agriculture and horticulture. This Dutch agricultural and horticultural organisation promotes the economic and social interests of member cattle farmers, arable farmers and market gardeners. All six regional agricultural and horticultural organisations, as well as accompanying sectoral/technical organisations, join forces within LTO-Nederland. The organisation promotes innovation resulting in durable and competitive agriculture and horticulture. LTO-Nederland believes that commercial entrepreneurship goes hand in hand with social commitment. Arable farmers and market gardeners are working towards finding the balance between levels of production, production methods and care of the environment and green space. In this manner they aim to contribute towards the well being and prosperity of the Dutch people, in the interest of both humans, animals and vegetation.
In 2001 eight Dutch critical agricultural organisations decided to work together in the Platform Earth, Farmer, Consumer. The Platform wants to close the gap between farmer and consumer. The Platform holds that there should be an end to liberalization, scaling-up and overproduction. ABC works for food security, sustainability, a vital countryside, and an environmentally friendly and pro-animal oriented agriculture.
Members include, among others, the Dutch Arable Farming Union (NAV), the Dutch Agricultural Council (Kritisch Landbouwberaad), the Dutch Dairy Farmers Union (NMV), the Netherlands Young Farmers Contact (NAJK), and the Working Group on Agriculture and Poverty (WLA).