as legislators from the NDP have condemned the fact that Mennonites have access to huge swaths of land which they deforest for agricultural purposes. The legislators from the NDP have demanded that the minister of Agriculture, Stock Breeding and Fisheries (LVV),

Maikel Noersalim, be fired over the Mennonite issue. “Why are we keeping such people at posts? This cannot go on!” said MP Jennifer Vreedzaam (NDP). MP Vreedzaam expressed outrage over the fact that no firm action is being taken to keep the Mennonites from getting a foothold in Suriname. “The minister of LVV does not even know what is happening on Surinamese territory with regards to agrarian regions and Mennonites. He can’t even give a straight answer,” said MP Vreedzaam. MP Ann Sadi (NDP) complained about the loopholes that the Mennonites are using to obtain huge swaths of land for their agricultural plans. There are reportedly many Surinamese nationals with large pieces of land who are willing to close deals with the sectarian community that arrived in Suriname several years ago. MP Sadi pointed out that the minister of Agriculture keeps beating around the bush and does not give straight answers in parliament. “We want to know if the ministry has made a deal with the Mennonites and if the Mennonites are working on land that belongs to LVV,” said MP Sadi who referred to the contract that the ministry signed with Braganza NV in order to make it possible for a private firm to utilize government land. “We must not focus on production at the expense of everything,” said MP Sadi.