DUTCH AGRICULTURE IN A EUROPEAN CONTEXT

This paper describes the development of Dutch agriculture during the last four decades. The development of farm size, labour force, land use and productivity, and the degree of specialization on the farm are discussed and explained. The Dutch situation is analysed in an EC context. The present position of the Netherlands in the debate on changes in the Common Agricultural Policy is described briefly. It is concluded that the general objective of farmers' organizations and government is liberalization of markets. Both see agricultural policy a. economic, rather than social policy. This view is not shared by everybody, but protectionist groups are not able to determine the agro-political agenda.