Farm minister Gerda Verburg has been severely criticised for sanctioning the production of a glossy magazine bearing her name as a promotional gift. The cover features Verburg in riding gear, a play on the popularity of Dutch celebrity-based one-off magazines.

Some 830,000 copies of "Gerda" have been printed and are 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. 'Political newspapers should be paid for by the political parties,' a socialist MP said.

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)