Miller Magazine Issue: 129 September 2020

62 INTERVIEW MILLER / September 2020 The Netherlands has been an important global player in agribusiness. Thanks to its strategic ports, it holds a leading position in the global trade of grains and pulses. It is the gateway for ingredients for food and feed in Eu- rope. Speaking to Miller Magazine, Matthé Vermeulen, Chairman of Royal Dutch Grain and Feed Trade Associa- tion (Het Comité), underlines the Netherlands’ major role in global agri-food trade. “Trade is in our DNA. We are a leading trading nation in food and feed,” he says. Mr. Vermeulen has years of international experience in the grain trade. Since 2012, he has been chairman of Het Comité, a trade association for companies in grains, seeds and pulses for almost 150 years. Mr. Vermeulen answered our questions on the Netherlands’ importance in the agri-food trade, changing grain market dynamics, Matthé Vermeulen Chairman Royal Dutch Grain and Feed Trade Association (Het Comité) “Protectionist measures are not the answer for our world-wide challenges on food and feed distribution. On the contrary, it will hinder enormously the efficient distribution opportunities of feed and food in bulk both in cost and sustainability. The only solution for many trade problems is free trade and a level playing field for all trade partners involved. I believe in strong international cooperation to secure a stable grain market. International trade without restrictions can help improve this international cooperation.” Het Comité Chairman warns against protectionism in agri-food trade Interview: Namık Kemal Parlak