This is why Future Up is hosting an agriculture debate
Last updated: Tuesday 7 October 2025
Marije Perdon is manager of communications & public affairs at Future Up. We speak to her about the agriculture debate that Future Up organised 2 October 2025 in collaboration with the TAPP Coalition and the Young Climate Movement.
1. Future Up is a platform for sustainable economy. Why are you organising a debate for politicians?
"More and more companies want to contribute to a sustainable economy. But their ambitions still often encounter ever-changing policies. We represent the progressive business community towards politicians and policymakers. Our goal: to make sustainable business the norm - both in the market and in policy. One of the means of connecting politicians and business is through this debate."
2. So why specifically on the topic of agriculture?
"Agriculture is currently in a major transition. We are doing our bit with a major programme to increase the market for natural farming. To make that happen, we need policies that encourage the hard work of natural farmers. Not for nothing are we bringing Cornelis Mosselman - one of the farmers in our network - to the debate to introduce a thesis for the politicians."
3. Just to be sure: why natural farming?
"Natural agriculture can help solve a wide range of current social issues; from nitrogen to drinking water problems, from biodiversity loss to health. We therefore advocate making organic the new normal. Specifically, that the government should use market players for scale, cooperation and marketing. That money must be freed up to create those chains and investments must be made in conversion processes to natural agriculture, for example."
4. What did you yourself think of the debate? Did it deliver what you expected from it?
"I was particularly curious about how the parties viewed our proposition to bring back the transition fund that can help farmers switch to organic production as well as strengthen its marketing.Although CDA mainly advocated 'realism' and VVD an 'area-based approach', GroenLinks/PvdA, Volt and Partij voor de Dieren were in favour of this fund."
5. What else are you planning towards and after the elections?
"A lot! Of course, we do a lot of work behind the scenes. Partners can also expect our analysis of the election programmes soon. And during the formation we will go public with a special political campaign, which goes with our new positioning and new name."
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