Last Thursday, European MP, Hilde Vautmans, held a round table discussion with Belgian fruit growers about the future of the sector. Vautmans is a member of the Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats party. Together with the Flemish Minister, Lydia Peeters, Minister Ducarme, and Vautmans, more than 100 fruit farmers had their say.
They voted on nine points of action that may be able to bring the sector back from the brink. "Over the last little while, I have had so many calls from desperate fruit growers. It has been going badly with our fruit sector for several years now. But, the situation has never been this desperate. That is why I decided to take action," says Hilde.
A survey was done in the room. It showed that half of the fruit farmers present did not think their businesses would last five more years. Only a few growers indicated that they had successors for their companies. Three-quarters of them have financial problems. According to 75% of those present, the Russian boycott is the main reason for the hopeless situation.
9 Point plan
“The 9 point plan was approved, almost unanimously, by the 100 fruit grower present. There are important points for the farmers. The most important of these is a review of CMO funds and compensation for the damage suffered due to the Russian boycott. However, the most important demand from the growers was, and remains, getting a fair price for their product," continues Hilde.
"The other points were that it should be recognized that the sector is in crisis and increasing the days allowed for seasonal workers from 65 to 100. Then there was the promotion of local products and opening up new markets. The grubbing premium, rejuvenation of the sector, and payment of damage compensation were also on the agenda. Finally, the abolition of the Agricultural Disaster Fund and broad weather insurance were discussed."
Click here for a complete version of the 9 point plan.
Russian boycott
Hilde is convinced that the Belgian fruit sector was hit hardest by the Russian boycott. "We had been exporting pears to Russia for ten years. That is why other types of fruits were uprooted in the fruit-growing region. They had to make way for Conference pear cultivation to meet the Russian demand," she explains.
"We have also been hit by severe climate conditions for years. Last year, we experienced extreme dry weather. In 2011, the 'Pukkelpop' storm caused a lot of damage. In other years, we had frost or hail. We have been having one crisis year after another. This has certainly not been good for the sector."
Om Twitter, fruit grower, Kees Van De Water, shared a photo of pears, lying ready for the fermenter.
Stimulating fruit consumption
“Fruit farmers voted on these nine points. Based on this, I will go to the governments and the European Commission. The sector is being threatened with extinction. To give growers a future again, we have to take action as quickly as possible," says the European MP.
“I am a farmer's daughter myself; part of the Sint-Truiden fruit growing sector. This situation, therefore, is close to my heart. I have published a fruit cookbook, of which 21,00 free copies have already been sent out. This is to stimulate fruit consumption. We are also in talks with the hospitality, restaurant, and catering sector. They need to put more Belgian fruit on their menus."
Sector in crisis
Federal Minister of Agriculture, Denis Decarme, has since recognized that the top fruit sector is in crisis. This allows growers to receive a discount or postponement on social contribution until the end of 2019.
For more information:
www.hildevautmans.eu