International

Figures from the European Commission reveal that last year the Netherlands paid a net €194 per inhabitant to the EU, making it, just as in previous years, Europe's biggest net payer. In 2006 the contribution could rise still further, to a possible € 300 per head. SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel said, “This is unacceptable. The Netherlands has for too long been Brussels' milch-cow.”

A review of European agriculture subsidies, which account for more than 40 percent of the entire EU budget, is urgently needed. These subsidies go in great part to major corporations such as Schiphol Airport, Mars, Heineken and DSM. The lion's share is paid to the very biggest farmers and to transnational food and transport companies, while at the same time small farmers both within the EU and in agriculture-dependent developing countries are disadvantaged.