Effects of environmental policies on the Dutch livestock industry

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2023-06-23

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en

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This paper presents an analysis of the impact of the Dutch climate agreement on dairy farmers' daily practices. This was done using Elizabeth Shove's social practice theory. This analysis is carried out using semi-structured interviews by outlining the challenges that dairy farmers face in order to achieve a sustainable future with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Policy Instrument Theory is used to identify the agreement's sticks, carrots and sermons as elements affecting farmers' daily lives. Conclusions are that biological farmers interviewed have already made the transition to a sustainable business plan, while non-biological farmers face high transition costs. The willingness to adapt to the agreement is limited among non-biological farmers due to a high degree of uncertainty about the future. Secondly, the background of a farmer is crucial in innovation processes. Motivation is linked to social, local and technical elements of dairy farmers. The agreement focuses on the dissemination of information, such as farmer-learns-from-farmer pilots, that use these social relationships of farmers to transition to sustainability. Thirdly, the experience of dairy farmers can be fed into policy-making. Examples include measuring emissions, implementing the food strategy to secure the position of agriculture and informing society to create acceptance.

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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen