From wine regions to airplane air quality: these are the subjects on which 181 advisory bodies advise the Dutch government

State Secretary Eric van der Burg recently disclosed that the Dutch government relies on 181 advisory boards and committees to assist with policy and legislation, a figure higher than his initial estimate of 176. These organizations span a vast array of topics, from technical subjects like sustainable shipbuilding and aircraft cabin air quality to niche areas like wine regions and the Dutch nobility. Every ministry maintains multiple advisory groups, with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science leading the count with thirty, while the Ministry of Defence operates with only three. Some of these entities are historic, such as the board overseeing the Military William Order which has existed since 1815.

The government intends to streamline these advisory structures through mergers or closures, although the process is complex due to the long-standing nature of some groups. While some committees are permanent, others are temporary and cease to exist once their specific mandates are fulfilled. Several committees have already been dissolved recently, reducing the total count slightly, with further closures planned to continue into 2027.