A wrong remedy for sustainable farming

 

Ahead of the annual negotiations on the Agricultural Agreement, Norwegian farmers’ associations have asked for a whopping 2.2. billion Norwegian Kroner in total from the government.

 

“I don’t understand why the farmers’ unions keep asking for more money when it clearly is the wrong remedy for sustainable farming”, says Hans Frode Asmyhr, Spokesperson on Agricultural Affairs for the Progress Party.

 

Direct subsidies from the government to farmers have been a dominant feature of Norwegian farming for decades and the amount of subsidies keep increasing every year. Still, both competitiveness and the number of farmers are decreasing.

 

 

 

 

“Norwegian farmers need to pay more attention to the consumers”, says Asmyhr and mentions the importance of innovation, new agricultural products and niche products.

 

“Instead of asking for more money every year, the farmers’ unions should focus on structural changes and innovation”, Asmyhr concludes.