6000 farmers gathered in Brussels on the occasion of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Monday 7 September. Jan Jacob Van Dijk, Chairman of the AER working group on rural development, stresses the key role played by farmers for territorial attractiveness and as entrepreneurs:

“Farmers play an important role to keep the countryside alive and vigorous. They invest in employment, not only direct employment but also indirect. Examples are the food processing industry, education and research, engineering, construction, the service industry. These days the agricultural sector is facing many challenges. Even in my region of Gelderland the rural areas are under pressure to stay vital. Farmers are also entrepreneurs and therefore also have to deal with business risks. Public authorities cannot and do not aim to take over these entrepreneurial risks, but they can seek to bring together stakeholders in order to identify causes, consequences and solutions. ‘Europe’ has also to take its responsibility. And when it comes to me, I am not so much in favour just to get the wallet out, but rather would look at structural solutions to business risk in an industry that plays an important role in the supply of food. Europe could invite the stakeholders who can play a role in this for a more fundamental discussion.”