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Challenges for Flemish Agriculture and Horticulture
LARA '18 LARA '18 CHALLENGES FOR FLEMISH AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES CHALLENGES FOR FLEMISH AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE The seventh edition of the Flemish Agriculture Report (LARA) was published in 2018. The report deals with the challenges for Flemish agriculture and horticulture. At the same time, it pro- vides a detailed description of the subsectors. A SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) also takes place per subsector. Between the chapters, experts from policy, research and civil society give their vision on challenges faced by Flemish agriculture and how the sector should deal with them. This is a translation of the summary of the report. You’ll find the entire report in Dutch on www.vlaanderen.be/landbouwrapport. © Flemish Government, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Platteau J., Lambrechts G., Roels K., Van Bogaert T., Luypaert G. & Merckaert B. (eds.) (2019) Challenges for Flemish agriculture and horticulture, Agriculture Report 2018, Summary, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Brussels. D/2019/3241/075 1 CURRENT SITUATION AGRICULTURE IS CHARACTERISED BY ECONOMIES OF SCALE, SPECIALISATION, DIVERSIFICATI- ON AND INNOVATION In 2017, Flanders had 23,225 agricultural businesses, 78% of which were of a professional nature. Compa- red to 2007, the number of agricultural holdings has decreased by slightly more than a quarter, a decrease of 3% per year on average. In particular smaller farms stop their activities, which leads to a constant increase in scale. In 2017, agriculture and horticulture as a whole covered an area of 610,971 hectares. Thereof, the largest part is accounted for by fodder crops (maize and meadows) and cereals, with 56% and 21% respectively. -
Landslides in Belgium—Two Case Studies in the Flemish Ardennes and the Pays De 20 Herve
Landslides in Belgium—Two Case Studies in the Flemish Ardennes and the Pays de 20 Herve Olivier Dewitte, Miet Van Den Eeckhaut, Jean Poesen and Alain Demoulin Abstract Most landslides in Belgium, and especially the largest features, do not occur in the Ardenne, where the relief energy and the climate conditions seem most favourable. They appear in regions located mainly north of them where the lithology consists primarily of unconsolidated material. They develop on slopes that are relatively smooth, and their magnitude is pretty large with regard to that context. An inventory of more than 300 pre-Holocene to recent landslides has been mapped. Twenty-seven percent of all inventoried landslides are shallow complex landslides that show signs of recent activity. The remaining landslides are deep-seated features and rotational earth slides dominate (n > 200). For such landslides, the average area is 3.9 ha, but affected areas vary from 0.2 to 40.4 ha. The exact age of the deep-seated landslides is unknown, but it is certain that during the last century no such landslides were initiated. Both climatic and seismic conditions during the Quaternary may have triggered landslides. The produced landslide inventory is a historical inventory containing landslides of different ages and triggering events. Currently, only new shallow landslides or reactivations within existing deep-seated landslides occur. The focus on the Hekkebrugstraat landslide in the Flemish Ardennes allows us to understand the recent dynamics of a large reactivated landslide. It shows the complexity of the interactions between natural and human-induced processes. The focus on the Pays the Herve allows for a deeper understanding of landslide mechanisms and the cause of their origin in natural environmental conditions. -
Executive and Legislative Bodies
Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice) Legislative and executive powers at the various levels Belgium is a federal state, composed of the Communities and the Regions. In the following, the federal state structure is outlined and the Government of Flanders and the Flemish Parliament are discussed. The federal level The legislative power at federal level is with the Chamber of Representatives, which acts as political chamber for holding government policy to account. The Senate is the meeting place between regions and communities of the federal Belgium. Together they form the federal parliament. Elections are held every five years. The last federal elections took place in 2014. The executive power is with the federal government. This government consists of a maximum of 15 ministers. With the possible exception of the Prime Minister, the federal government is composed of an equal number of Dutch and French speakers. This can be supplemented with state secretaries. The federal legislative power is exercised by means of acts. The Government issues Royal Orders based on these. It is the King who promulgates federal laws and ratifies them. The federal government is competent for all matters relating to the general interests of all Belgians such as finance, defence, justice, social security (pensions, sickness and invalidity insurance), foreign affairs, sections of health care and domestic affairs (the federal police, oversight on the police, state security). The federal government is also responsible for nuclear energy, public-sector companies (railways, post) and federal scientific and cultural institutions. The federal government is also responsible for all things that do not expressly come under the powers of the communities and the regions. -
Belgian Federalism After the Sixth State Reform by Jurgen Goossens and Pieter Cannoot
ISSN: 2036-5438 Belgian Federalism after the Sixth State Reform by Jurgen Goossens and Pieter Cannoot Perspectives on Federalism, Vol. 7, issue 2, 2015 Except where otherwise noted content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons 2.5 Italy License E - 29 Abstract This paper highlights the most important institutional evolutions of Belgian federalism stemming from the implementation of the sixth state reform (2012-2014). This reform inter alia included a transfer of powers worth 20 billion euros from the federal level to the level of the federated states, a profound reform of the Senate, and a substantial increase in fiscal autonomy for the regions. This contribution critically analyses the current state of Belgian federalism. Although the sixth state reform realized important and long-awaited changes, further evolutions are to be expected. Since the Belgian state model has reached its limits with regard to complexity and creativity, politicians and academics should begin to reflect on the seventh state reform with the aim of increasing the transparency of the current Belgian institutional labyrinth. Key-words Belgium, state reform, Senate, constitutional amendment procedure, fiscal autonomy, distribution of powers, Copernican revolution Except where otherwise noted content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons 2.5 Italy License E - 30 1. Introduction After the federal elections of 2010, Belgian politicians negotiated for 541 days in order to form the government of Prime Minister Di Rupo, which took the oath on 6 December 2011. This resulted in the (unofficial) world record of longest government formation period. After the Flemish liberal party (Open VLD) elicited the end of the government of Prime Minister Leterme, Belgian citizens had to vote on 13 June 2010. -
An Overview of More Than Two Decades of Re-Use in Flanders
How to start a Re-use Shop? An overview of more than two decades of re-use in Flanders. TOGETHER WE MAKE TOMORROW MORE BEAUTIFUL OVAM WWW.OVAM.BE How to start a Re-use Shop / 2015 1 2 How to start a Re-use Shop / 2015 CONTENTS Introduction 1. Flanders: some background information 2 2. Creation of the Re-use Sector in Flanders: the most significant success factors 2 3. Integration of the Re-use Centres into the Flemish Waste- and Materials Management Policy 4 4. Professionalization of the Re-use Sector 8 4.1. The Re-use Shop as a strong brand 8 4.1.1 Joining forces for marketing and communication 8 4.1.2 Joining forces towards a shop policy 9 4.2. K2-kwadraad – quality for re-use centres 9 4.3. To Measure is To Know: registration and reporting 10 5. The Re-use Sector in the Year 2015 11 5.1. 31 Re-use Centres, and as many operating areas 11 5.2 Traditional Reuse Centres and Centres of broader scope 12 5.3. Social EmploymentSocial 5.3. 12 5.4. Some Specific Figures 13 How to start a Re-use Shop / 2015 3 4 How to start a Re-use Shop / 2015 INTRODUCTION The re-use sector in Flanders represents a practical information, facts that are based strong network that has been creating jobs on 20 years of experience within Flanders. tailored to the needs of vulnerable target groups We hope to raise sufficient enthusiasm while, at the same time, realising significant in the reader to convince him or her to benefits for the environment. -
Belgian Identity Politics: at a Crossroad Between Nationalism and Regionalism
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 8-2014 Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism Jose Manuel Izquierdo University of Tennessee - Knoxville, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Human Geography Commons Recommended Citation Izquierdo, Jose Manuel, "Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2014. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/2871 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Jose Manuel Izquierdo entitled "Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Geography. Micheline van Riemsdijk, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Derek H. Alderman, Monica Black Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Belgian identity politics: At a crossroad between nationalism and regionalism A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Jose Manuel Izquierdo August 2014 Copyright © 2014 by Jose Manuel Izquierdo All rights reserved. -
Media Literacy Policy in Flanders •Fi Belgium. from Parliamentary
L. Van Audenhove, I. Mariën & H. Vanwynsberghe / Journal of Media Literacy Education 2018 10(1), 59 - 81 Available online at www.jmle.org The National Association for Media Literacy Education’s Journal of Media Literacy Education 10 (1), 59 - 81 Media Literacy Policy in Flanders Belgium: From Parliamentary Discussions to Public Policy Leo Van Audenhove Mediawijs.be & iMEC-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel University of the Western Cape Ilse Mariën iMEC-SMIT-Vrije Universiteit Brussel Hadewijch Vanwynsberghe Mediawijs.be ABSTRACT Media literacy has gained in importance in policy discussions on media, digital media and the Internet in many countries. How do these policies develop and what can be learned? This case study explores the factors contributing to the successful formulation and implementation of media literacy in Flanders-Belgium. By examining the trajectory of policy debates and policy formulation, this research highlights the development of the concept of mediawijsheid (media literacy), the organization, the Knowledge Center for Media Literacy, and the role of the public service broadcaster in relation to media literacy policy. This case study shows that media literacy has been supported through three coalition governments in Flanders Belgium as different political parties rallied around media literacy as a common denominator for the challenges posed by the changing digital media environment. In particular, the empowerment view on media literacy seems to charm the left, middle, and right of the political spectrum, a finding that may inspire other actors in other countries as they attempt to move media literacy onto the national political agenda. Keywords: media literacy, media education, policy, Flanders, Belgium Over the last decade, media literacy has gained in importance in policy discussions on media, digital media and the Internet in many countries. -
The Parliaments of Belgium and Their International
THE PARLIAMENTS OF BELGIUM AND THEIR INTERNATIONAL POWERS This brochure aims to provide readers with a bird’s eye per- spective of the distribution of power in Federal Belgium in plain language. Particular emphasis goes out to the role of the Parliamentary assemblies in international affairs. Federal Belgium as we now know it today is the result of a peaceful and gradual political development seeking to give the country’s various Communities and Regions wide-ranging self-rule. This enables them to run their own policies in a way that is closely geared to the needs and wishes of their own citizens. In amongst other elements, the diversity and self-rule of the Regions and Communities manifest themselves in their own Parliaments and Govern- ments. Same as the Federal Parliament, each of these Regional Parliamentary assemblies has its own powers, is able to autonomously adopt laws and regulations for its territory and population and ratify international treaties in respect of its own powers. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Belgium became an independent state in 1830 with a bicam- eral Parliament (Chamber of Representatives and Senate) and a Government. The only administrative language at the time was French. Dutch and German were only gradually recognised as administrative languages. The four linguistic regions (Dutch, French, German and the bilingual Region of Brussels-Capital) were established in 1962. Over the course of the second half of the twentieth century came the growing awareness that the best way forward was for the various Communities to be given the widest possi- ble level of self-rule, enabling them to make their own deci- sions in matters such as culture and language. -
State of Play Analyses for Antwerp & Limburg- Belgium
State of play analyses for Antwerp & Limburg- Belgium Contents Socio-economic characterization of the region ................................................................ 2 General ...................................................................................................................................... 2 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 7 Regulatory and institutional framework ......................................................................... 11 Legal framework ...................................................................................................................... 11 Standards ................................................................................................................................ 12 Identification of key actors .............................................................................................. 13 Existing situation of wastewater treatment and agriculture .......................................... 17 Characterization of wastewater treatment sector ................................................................. 17 Characterization of the agricultural sector: ............................................................................ 20 Existing related initiatives ................................................................................................ 26 Discussion and conclusion remarks ................................................................................ -
Reconstructions of the Past in Belgium and Flanders
Louis Vos 7. Reconstructions of the Past in Belgium and Flanders In the eyes of some observers, the forces of nationalism are causing such far- reaching social and political change in Belgium that they threaten the cohesion of the nation-state, and may perhaps lead to secession. Since Belgian independ- ence in 1831 there have been such radical shifts in national identity – in fact here we could speak rather of overlapping and/or competing identities – that the political authorities have responded by changing the political structures of the Belgian state along federalist lines. The federal government, the Dutch-speaking Flemish community in the north of Belgium and the French-speaking commu- nity – both in the southern Walloon region and in the metropolitan area of Brus- sels – all have their own governments and institutions.1 The various actors in this federal framework each have their own conceptions of how to take the state-building process further, underpinned by specific views on Belgian national identity and on the identities of the different regions and communities. In this chapter, the shifts in the national self-image that have taken place in Belgium during its history and the present configurations of national identities and sub-state nationalism will be described. Central to this chapter is the question whether historians have contributed to the legitimization of this evolving consciousness, and if so, how. It will be demonstrated that the way in which the practice of historiography reflects the process of nation- and state- building has undergone profound changes since the beginnings of a national his- toriography. -
The Belgian Federal Parliament
The Belgian Federal Parliament Welcome to the Palace of the Nation PUBLISHED BY The Belgian House of Representatives and Senate EDITED BY The House Department of Public Relations The Senate Department of Protocol, Reception & Communications PICTURES Guy Goossens, Kevin Oeyen, Kurt Van den Bossche and Inge Verhelst, KIK-IRPA LAYOUT AND PRINTING The central printing offi ce of the House of Representatives July 2019 The Federal Parliament The Belgian House of Representatives and Senate PUBLISHED BY The Belgian House of Representatives and Senate EDITED BY The House Department of Public Relations The Senate Department of Protocol, Reception & Communications PICTURES This guide contains a concise description of the workings Guy Goossens, Kevin Oeyen, Kurt Van den Bossche and Inge Verhelst, KIK-IRPA of the House of Representatives and the Senate, LAYOUT AND PRINTING and the rooms that you will be visiting. The central printing offi ce of the House of Representatives The numbers shown in the margins refer to points of interest July 2019 that you will see on the tour. INTRODUCTION The Palace of the Nation is the seat of the federal parliament. It is composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House and the Senate differ in terms of their composition and competences. 150 representatives elected by direct universal suffrage sit in the House of Representatives. The Senate has 60 members. 50 senators are appointed by the regional and community parliaments, and 10 senators are co-opted. The House of Representatives and the Senate are above all legislators. They make laws. The House is competent for laws of every kind. -
Belgium (Flemish)
Belgium (Flemish) Bea Merckx, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences Jerich Faddar Peter Van Petegem University of Antwerp Introduction Overview of Education System Belgium is a federal state, composed of communities and regions. There are three communities: the Flemish community, the French community, and the German-speaking community.1 Education in Belgium is mostly regulated and financed by these communities. The federal government plays only a small role: determining the beginning and end of compulsory education, defining minimum requirements for issuing diplomas, and regulating the retirement of education staff. In Flanders, the Ministry of Education and Training, led by the Minister of Education, is responsible for all stages of education and training, from preschool education to university and adult education. Education in Belgium is compulsory between ages 6 and 18, or until graduation from secondary school. Nearly all children in Flanders attend preschool (ages 2½ to 6). To be allowed to enroll in primary school, a child must have attended preschool for at least 250 half days during the calendar year in which the child turns 6. If the child was not sufficiently present, the primary school’s class council decides whether or not the child can start primary education. If not, the child must attend preschool education for another year. Compulsory education starts on September 1 of the year in which a child turns 6 and ends in June of the year in which he or she turns 18. Thus, there are 12 years of compulsory schooling, comprising 6 years of primary education and 6 years of secondary education. Full-time education is compulsory until students turn 15 or 16.