Farmers don’t wait for trade polders: “ an unfortunate plan ”

The plan to cut through an outer dyke and let ebb and flow flow even makes an existing problem even bigger, Baecke thinks: “We are really short of space in the Netherlands. We are pushing ourselves.” According to the farmer’s foreman, the interests of farmers, nature, recreation and housing are already under pressure.

Baecke therefore thinks that the forms of stripping should not be considered, but rather a different solution: to recover new land, but outside the dikes. “Then we can test if the idea that the researchers tried to simulate via models is correct. And if it is, that’s fine. Because then we have a new area that we can use. again, ”says Baecke.

You get salinization because you let the salt water enter the polders. “

The argument that swap polders can prevent salinization is also not accepted by the farmer in Nieuw Namen: “You get salinization because you allow salt water in the polders.” Baecke believes exchange polders can only stop salinization when the land is completely silted up. According to scientists, this occurs at the rate of three to five centimeters per year. “So an unfortunate plan in this regard too,” Baecke says.

The researchers believe that the Zealander will not be immediately opposed to this form of stripping because the trading polders also provide an economic boost. “You can get a lot of value out of it, for example through mussel farming or growing samphire. And through nature, which is good for tourism, ”the researchers write in their report.

Outside the dike

The president of ZLTO Zeeland also sees these economic advantages. But these benefits are also reflected in the pollination of land outside the dikes. “Only one important advantage: you don’t have to flood a good polder for this”, adds Baecke.

It hurts Baecke that the farmers were not solicited for their input by the drafters of the plans. So he has a lot of homework for researchers. But above all, he wants to get involved in the development of new plans: “They could start with that first”.

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