Examining Administrative Burdens in Agriculture

Dutch and European farmers often express concerns about the administrative burdens imposed by agricultural and environmental regulations. While these regulations are essential for safeguarding the environment, food safety, and labour conditions, the perceived complexity and cost of compliance can be significant.

This MSc thesis project invites a student with an affinity for political science and/or public policy to critically assess the discourse around administrative burdens in agriculture. The research will draw on a new typology of burden reduction strategies, focusing on three key dimensions: who bears the burden (distributive), the level of burden (intensiveness), and how the burden is experienced (relational) (Benish et al. 2024). The typology outlines seven strategies: shifting, sharing, discarding, simplifying, expediting, communicating, and respecting.

Research Objectives

• Analyse the narratives and concerns voiced by farmers and agricultural organizations.
• Apply the typology to identify and classify burden reduction strategies in agricultural regulations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in balancing regulatory goals with reducing burdens on farmers.
• Recommend policy adjustments to better align regulatory frameworks with the needs of the agricultural sector.

Candidate Profile

• MSc student with an affinity for political science and/or public policy
• Strong analytical skills and interest in agricultural policy.
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.

Application

Interested candidates should submit a CV, a brief motivation letter, and an example of previous academic work.

For more details, please contact Jeroen Candel.