Belgian farmers' union
The Belgian Farmers' Union (on Nld. Boerenbond ) is the largest and most important association of agricultural entrepreneurs in Flanders and East Belgium .
It was founded on July 20, 1890 under the name Belgische Boerenbond zu Löwen . Among the founders were Jacob-Ferdinand Mellaerts , the later Prime Minister Frans Schollaert and the later Minister Joris Helleputte . The farmers' union has its headquarters in Leuven.
politics
The Bauernbund is an important Catholic organization in Flanders and East Belgium, which traditionally has a great influence in the Christian Democratic parties (the CVP , later CD&V in Flanders and the CSP in East Belgium). The farmers' union presents itself as a lobby group for its members and wants to influence Belgian regional and federal policy. In this function he holds the Algemeen Boerensyndicaat (ABS) as a competitor.
The chairmen were:
- 1890–1925: Joris Helleputte
- 1925-1936: Victor Parein
- 1936-1940: Gilbert Mullie
- 1940-1949: Alfons Coninx
- 1949-1961: Gilbert Mullie
- 1961–1964: Maurits Van Hemelrijck
- 1964-1977: Constant Boon
- 1977-1981: André Dequae
- 1981–1992: Jan Hinnekens
- 1992-1995: Robert Eeckloo
- 1995–2008: Noël Devisch
- 2008 - today: Piet Vanthemsche
structure
Today the Bauernbund comprises seven associations, three of which are professional associations:
- Bauernbund: for farmers
- Agricultural Women's Association-Agra (LFV-Agra): for women farmers
- Green circle: for young farmers and young breeders
De Rural Movement groups four socio-cultural organizations:
- Rural Guilds - Association for Education, Village and Country: an adult education organization
- Rural Women's Association (LFV): a socio-cultural women's organization
- Catholic rural youth (KLJ): for children and young people
- Landelijke Rijverenigingen ( Rural Riding Club ; LRV): an equestrian club
In the past, the farmers' union also included:
- ABB Insurance and CERA Bank; In 1998, the merger with Kredietbank resulted in KBC -Allfinanzholding
- ABIS Training & Consulting, split off in 1986
