Boeren anno 2025: veranderen, verplaatsen of stoppen? Een beschouwing vanuit pachtrechtelijk perspectief

The theme of the annual meeting of the Association for Agricultural Law in 2025 is “Farmers in 2025: change, move or quit?”. Due to various developments, both social and legal, the average farmer today will ask himself the question whether his business can be continued in the future in the same way and/or at the same location. If this question must be answered in the negative, a farmer basically has three options: change, relocate or quit. This article highlights these options from the perspective of agricultural tenancy law. In the context of “change,” it discusses the criterion of commercial farming, the possibilities for multifunctional farming, the scope for changing the destination, layout or form of the leased property, and the legal possibilities for review by the agricultural tenancies authority. In the context of “relocation”, termination or modification of the agricultural lease, relocation due to dissolution of the agricultural lease and the (possible) limitations of the Didam-judgments are discussed. Finally, the relevant aspects are described in case a farmer wants to cease his agricultural activities. Among other things, the regulations for farmers who want to discontinue their business, the melioration fee and obligations in the context of delivery are discussed.