Farm minister under fire over glossy mag

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Farm minister Gerda Verburg has been ordered to explain to parliament why she sanctioned the production of a glossy magazine bearing her name as a promotional gift.

Some 830,000 copies of Gerda have been printed and will be distributed to subscribers of women's magazines such as Margriet and Libelle. The magazine marks the 75th anniversary of the agriculture ministry and includes tips on healthy eating as well as a look at the farming and fishing industry.

But MPs from across the political spectrum are furious about the €400,000 project, which they say is a political ploy ahead of the general election.

'CDA newspapers should be paid for by the CDA,' Socialist MP Krista van Velzen told the Telegraaf.

The cover features Verburg in riding gear, a play on the popularity of Dutch celebrity-based one-off magazines.

Verburg denies the magazine is an election stunt, pointing out that work began in summer 2009. 'The cost is 50 cents per household and that is a bargain for something that reaches so many people,' she said.

© DutchNews.nl

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