Rural CDA visits Schenkeveld

Rural CDA visits Schenkeveld: "Horticulture is not a problem, but part of the solution"

At the invitation of MKB Westland, a delegation from the national CDA paid a working visit to Schenkeveld glasshouse horticulture company on Monday evening, 21 October. The visit followed an earlier debate on digitisation and labour migration, in which MKB Westland called for politicians in The Hague to better show what things are like in practice in Westland. That call was heeded and led to a valuable meeting on the shop floor.

Candidate MPs Hemin Hawezy and Marieke van der Spek were updated on the strengths, innovations and challenges of Dutch greenhouse horticulture. The discussions focused on energy, sustainability, labour migration, digitalisation and the need for realistic policies that connect with entrepreneurs' practices.

Present on behalf of Schenkeveld were Pieter van der Wel and Richard Hartensveld. Van der Wel provided an impressive presentation on the development of the company, which has developed into a technological leader in a short period of time.
"Thirty years ago, you grew 50 kilos of tomatoes with 60 cubic metres of gas per square metre. Now we achieve 100 kilos with 30 cubic metres of gas. That shows how much innovative power there is in the sector, we are becoming more sustainable and efficient every year," Van der Wel said.

Hartensveld explained with figures how much policy affects entrepreneurship.
"We must continue to make sustainability more sustainable, but sensibly. If companies leave, they won't come back. Horticulture wants to be part of the solution, provided there remains room for business. Don't forget that we ensure food security around the world."

According to Patrick Jordens, board member of digitalisation and innovation at MKB Westland, the visit shows that The Hague and the Westland business community need to understand each other better.

"The Hague sometimes thinks too easily that horticulture needs to innovate more in order to need fewer migrant workers, while the Westland is the epitome of innovation. We see that regulations are sometimes introduced too quickly or too unilaterally, without thinking through the effect on entrepreneurs and ultimately on food security. This involves not only sufficient food, but also healthy food that remains accessible to everyone. We must prevent healthy food from becoming a luxury product. That calls for better thought-through policies and more room for entrepreneurship."

The CDA delegation was also informed about the use of CO₂ reuse, energy transition and digitalisation in cultivation processes. They also discussed training and the shift of positions within the sector, from grower to data analyst, making horticulture an example of innovation in the labour market as well.

MKB Westland looks back on the meeting with satisfaction. The board stresses that such working visits are essential to bring policy and practice closer together and clear up misconceptions about the sector.