Martin Scholten appointed advisor to the Executive Board for Europe and Dutch regions

In recent years, Martin Scholten has mainly been visible as an important driving force behind the concept of circular agriculture, which is based on the principle that resources must be used much better: waste as little as possible, reuse waste and byproducts in order to reduce emissions from agriculture. "In this way we can take major steps in the field of preserving biodiversity and combating climate change," says Martin Scholten. Livestock plays a central role in circular agriculture: animals eat residual flows from arable farming and food production and upgrade them to important foods, dairy, eggs and meat. The soil is "recharged" with the animals' manure.

From farm to fork

Europe and the Dutch regions are the playing field of Martin Scholten in his new role as strategic adviser to the Executive Board: 'As a leading knowledge institute in the field of agriculture, food and the environment, WUR wants to make a proactive contribution to the knowledge agenda of the European Commission - Horizon Europe - with the Green Deal and the derived “from farm to fork” strategy and the biodiversity strategy. I am happy to use my European and international network and experience for this."

Transition is taking shape in the region

Regional experimental areas for circular agriculture play an important role in the Realization Plan of the agricultural vision for the Netherlands ‘Valuable and Connected’ by Minister Schouten of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. "It is very important that our knowledge lands in the places where the transition to a new circular food system is taking shape: in the region," says Martin Scholten. "Regional parties also seek cooperation with WUR. And then there is also an important task to come to a new region-oriented nature and nitrogen policy. Those are great challenges that I like to work on."