Civil Society Organisations and the Delta Programme
Many civil society organisations actively contribute to the development of the Delta Programme. Among other things, they provide factual input at an early stage and make wishes and ideas known. The input of civil society organisations provides important added value in the development and decision-making processes of the Delta Programme.
Regional advisory groups play an important role in the preparations and deliberations of the regional steering groups. The Independent consultative body for Infrastructure and Environment (OIM) provides advice at the national level. The Delta Programme Steering Group discusses the OIM’s recommendations, and is using them in the proposal for the DP2014 that is being drawn up.
On 4 June, representatives of the Dutch Federation of Agriculture and Horticulture (LTO Nederland), Association of Dutch Water Companies (Vewin), Association for Energy, the Environment and Water (VEMW) and the Netherlands Employers Federation (VNO-NCW) explained their input into the Delta Programme at a meeting with the Delta Commissioner. During the meeting, the parties explained the economic importance of both safety and fresh water as factors that influence companies when deciding where to set up their business. Sufficient fresh water of good quality is essential for industry, the drinking water sector and agriculture and horticulture. The organisations themselves also make contributions, for example, with initiatives for promoting the sustainable use of water in industry, and innovative solutions for water use in agriculture.
Albert Jan Maat, chair of LTO Nederland, specifically detailed the input of his organisation in a personal letter he presented to the Delta Commissioner. Agriculture and horticulture contribute significantly to Dutch export products, and the availability of fresh water plays an important role in this. LTO Nederland is continuing to work towards making the agriculture sector and its use of water more sustainable.
The Delta Commissioner greatly appreciates the input of civil society organisations. In essence, the Delta Programme is an economically driven programme, in which safety and the fresh-water supply alongside protection, provide for a good business climate. Fresh-water measures are developing towards a new policy. This is providing clarity regarding what businesses can count on. In the Delta Programme, we are seeking points of reference for dealing efficiently with fresh-water issues, and measures for the main water systems are being investigated in order to make our ambitions a reality. In the months ahead, a cost-benefits analysis will make clear whether or not the investments will deliver the desired benefits.