Demands more support for vegetable farmers – NRK Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio

Vegetable farmer Per Odd Gjestvang recently harrowed 29 tonnes of leeks at Skreia in Østre Toten.

The leeks were ready for harvest, but with today’s electricity prices, Gjestvang did not see it as financially sound to spend money on storing the vegetables.

The fact that farmers see themselves having to destroy many measures of vegetables has caused reactions among the population.

Now the Green Party demands that vegetable farmers in particular receive more electricity support to prevent food waste on such a large scale.

– We demand that this happens immediately, says Rasmus Hansson in MDG.

I think the Government is doing too little

Instead of farmers receiving electricity support of up to 20,000 kilowatt hours (kWt), which is the current arrangement, MGD demands that vegetable farmers receive a support of 50,000 – with the possibility of more for farmers with higher electricity consumption.

– It is reported to be a reasonable average for many farmers. We then believe that it must be opened up so that farmers who have even higher electricity costs to store their crops must have this covered. Here, it is important to take care of the food that Norwegian farmers have grown in 2022.

Hansson believes the Government has a lot to do. He demands that the Minister of Agriculture come to the scene, and quickly.

– The government has certainly not done enough to ensure that we get to store the food that is now produced throughout Norway by Norwegian farmers. It is unacceptable to throw away so much food because of a power crisis.

– Norway cannot afford this. We cannot throw away food on a huge scale when we have to harvest this year’s crop. We especially cannot do that when we have a food disaster due to war and climate problems in Europe, says Hansson.

Concerns about the ability to supply

Greengrocer Gjestvang thinks the MDG requirement is a step in the right direction.

In the high season, Gjestvang uses around 80,000 kilowatt hours a month for cooling.

Previously, he has paid around 24,000 for electricity a month. Now the price is almost 16 times as high. So close to NOK 400,000.

Gjestvang is concerned about the supply situation, and believes the best arrangement is to remove the roof.

– The ability to supply is threatened. With the practice we have today, the storage vegetables will be left on the ground. The farmer and the operator cannot be expected to bear that cost. In that case, it will mean bankruptcy for many.

Several people have asked themselves why farmers do not plan to self-pick when they have to harvest their food.

Gjestvang says he appreciates all the suggestions he has received, and says he takes them seriously.

He says they are open to self-picking. But when it comes to such large quantities as Gjestvang breeds, this is not the actual solution to the problem, he believes.

– I could have run it in stock, but then I would have made a heavy loss. This leek is only suitable for the commercial kitchen market. Then I had to start up another cooling system. We can’t afford that – not a chance in the sea. We don’t do it for fun, or as a promotion, he says and adds:

– Self-picking of vegetables does not solve this. Harvesting a carrot crop on 100 acres is a huge logistical challenge. I am concerned that all vegetables are harvested and well taken care of in modern refrigeration facilities. That is what the goal is.

Does not raise the roof

Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch (Sp) says she understands the challenges farmers have with high electricity costs.

– Seeing images of crops being plowed down is of course not a pleasant sight, she says to NRK.

But the electricity subsidy ceiling of 20,000 kWt does not appear to be raised.

– I have great understanding of the frustration out there. We see that all Norwegian businesses are struggling with increased costs. At the same time, I would like to remind you that agriculture is the only industry that has received electricity support.

Borch says that they are now working on a business package, which could also be good for warehousing and packaging. What it contains is still uncertain.

– The Government will launch the package in a few days, and then you will get an insight into what it will cover.

– Sandra Borch must turn around. And she must turn around immediately, Hansson demands.

– It cannot wait until the Storting’s electricity price meeting on 19 September. Norwegian farmers are in the process of plowing down what they have grown from their own vegetables. This is food throwing on a gigantic scale, and in direct contradiction to the government’s and the Hurdal platform’s promise to promote a law to prevent food throwing, he continues.