Agricultural land disappearing as applications to convert farms triple
Applications to convert active farms into non-agricultural dwellings have tripled in the past five years, resulting in farming land disappearing, De Standaard reports.
Figures from Flemish Environment minister Jo Brouns, of CD&V, show that applications increased from 236 in 2019 to 726 in 2024. The number of approved or partially approved applications also rose, from 167 to 399.
“Agricultural businesses are rapidly being converted into non-agricultural farms and smallholdings. This is a seriously neglected problem, because it means more and more agricultural land is disappearing,” said N-VA MP Jurgen Callaerts, who requested the figures in Parliament.
Problematic urbanisation
“In recent years, the focus has often been on the fact that nature is taking over scarce agricultural land. But that is clearly not the only cause: the improper conversion of agricultural properties with associated urbanisation is certainly just as problematic.”
Green party Groen wants to see an end to inappropriate changes to the designated use of farms.
"Agricultural businesses are rapidly being converted into non-agricultural farms and smallholdings"
“Farmers are being driven out by the property market, and the Flemish government is allowing this to happen,” said party leader Mieke Schauvliege. “We want this to stop. After all, this open space also plays an important role in the fight against climate change”
Brouns’ predecessor as Environment minister was Zuhal Demir, Callaerts’ N-VA party colleague.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © PHOTO IMAGEBROKER
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