Silvio ErkensMinister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture
Born on 7 August 1990 in Heerlen, married, 2 children
Party: People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
The Netherlands needs to grow stronger and more prosperous in the years ahead. Together with farmers, growers and fishers, we will be working hard to achieve innovation and progress, paying extra attention to easing regulatory constraints. By opting now for smart solutions, we can ensure a strong economy, a healthy natural environment, a humane livestock sector and an even more beautiful Netherlands.
Fisheries
National Land Bank/Agricultural Land Management Office
Animal welfare
Food security and food quality
Animal health (incl. Animal Health Fund)
Plant health (incl. plant protection products)
Horticulture (incl. plant breeders’ rights and new genomic techniques)
Leaseholds
Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Staatsbosbeheer and agricultural inspection services (Skal, BKD, NAK, COKZ, KCB, Naktuinbouw)
23 February 2026 Appointed Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature in the Jetten government
31 March 2021 – 23 February 2026 Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD
2019 – 2020 Project leader, Boston Consulting Group
2013 – 2019 Associate / Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
2017 – 2018 Master of Business Administration, Columbia Business School
2012 – 2013 MSc in International Relations, London School of Economics
2009 – 2012 BSc in Political Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen
2003 – 2009 Secondary education, College Rolduc, Kerkrade
2025 – 2026 VVD campaign leader for the parliamentary election
August 2018 – November 2020 VVD campaign leader in Limburg