This paper describes the development of Dutch agriculture during the l
ast four decades. The development of farm size, labour force, land use
and productivity, and the degree of specialization on the farm are di
scussed and explained. The Dutch situation is analysed in an EC contex
t. The present position of the Netherlands in the debate on changes in
the Common Agricultural Policy is described briefly. It is concluded
that the general objective of farmers' organizations and government is
liberalization of markets. Both see agricultural policy a. economic,
rather than social policy. This view is not shared by everybody, but p
rotectionist groups are not able to determine the agro-political agend
a.