New deputy Gijs de Kruif takes charge of nature, agriculture and rural transition in Utrecht
Utrecht welcomes Gijs de Kruif as its new deputy for nature, agriculture, and rural development. His appointment brings fresh leadership to key provincial challenges like housing, accessibility, and environmental policy, directly impacting residents' daily lives and regional growth.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Gijs de Kruif (CDA) |
| Portfolio | Nature & agriculture, rural transition, Groen Groeit Mee, Europe |
| Predecessor | Mirjam Sterk (now Minister for Long-term Care, Youth, and Sports) |
| Previous Roles | Alderman (Woudenberg), Provincial Council member, Director Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park |
| Residence | Woudenberg, Utrecht |
| New Portfolio Changes | Fauna policy and wolf dossier to Has Bakker; digitalisation to André van Schie |
| Date Sworn In | March 18, 2026 |
The Province of Utrecht plays a crucial role in shaping regional policies on nature, agriculture, and rural development. Deputies like Gijs de Kruif are responsible for implementing these policies, ensuring they align with both local needs and broader national objectives.
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Gijs de Kruif sworn in as deputy
Gijs de Kruif (CDA) has been sworn in as the new deputy. The Provincial Council has approved his appointment as deputy for nature and agriculture, rural transition, Groen Groeit Mee, and Europe. De Kruif succeeds the departing Mirjam Sterk. She was appointed Minister for Long-term Care, Youth, and Sports in February.
De Kruif was born and raised in Woudenberg, where he still lives today, and feels very much at home in the province of Utrecht. “I am pleased that the Provincial Council has approved my appointment. I consider it a great honour and challenge to take up the role of deputy for the province of Utrecht. Agriculture, nature, and regional development have been recurring themes throughout my career. In all these roles, I have seen how special our province is, and I am happy to bring these experiences to my work as deputy.” His work is guided by one central principle: “Urban and rural areas are not opposites. What we do in rural areas affects the city, and vice versa. Housing construction, accessibility, agriculture, nature, and water require coherent choices, and I am happy to contribute to that.”
Experience
The new deputy has extensive political, administrative, and social experience. De Kruif served as alderman in Woudenberg from 2012 to 2018. He was also a member of the Provincial Council of Utrecht and chairman of the Fauna Management Unit. De Kruif is a sworn steward and has been active in regional development and issues related to agriculture and nature for many years. In recent years, he served as director of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park.
Personal life
De Kruif lives in Woudenberg, is married, and has three adult daughters and four grandsons.
Portfolio distribution of the Deputies
With the departure of Mirjam Sterk and the appointment of Gijs de Kruif, the Deputies have established a new portfolio distribution. Compared to the previous distribution in this administrative period, the following changes have been made:
- Fauna policy and the wolf dossier have been added to the portfolio of Has Bakker.
- The themes of digitalisation and information provision were previously managed by Has Bakker and André van Schie. In the new distribution, these will be fully transferred to André van Schie.
- The ownership role of BV Hart voor de Heuvelrug will be transferred from Has Bakker to André van Schie.
- The ownership role of Stedin will be transferred from Has Bakker to Huib van Essen.
With this, the portfolio distribution per deputy is as follows:
Huib van Essen (GroenLinks) Spatial development, coordination of environmental policy, energy transition, environment, and governance
André van Schie (VVD) Mobility, economy, and digitalisation
Has Bakker (D66) Climate & circular society, water & soil, finance, land matters, organisation and participation, fauna policy, and wolf
Gijs de Kruif (CDA) Nature & agriculture, rural transition, Groen Groeit Mee, and Europe
Rob van Muilekom (PvdA) Housing, asylum & migration, culture & heritage, recreation & tourism, labour market & education, vital society, sports & movement, and Hart van de Heuvelrug
Hans Oosters (King’s Commissioner) National tasks, coordination of intergovernmental supervision, integrity & undermining, permit issuance, supervision & enforcement, legal affairs/objections and appeals, public affairs, and communication
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