News Agrifacts Foundation
'Aerius conjures up 15.000 hectares of nitrogen-sensitive nature'
Calculation model According to an analysis by the Agrifacts Foundation (Staf), Aerius wrongly sees more than 15.000 hectares as nitrogen-sensitive nature, including agricultural land and residential areas. This is in addition to the nitrogen-sensitive nature that has been added to Natura 2000 areas in recent years.
"Provinces together signed up 173.878 hectares (Aerius version October 2020). The calculation model itself designates 189.600 hectares as nitrogen-sensitive nature. This is almost 10% more than has been signed in," Staf reports in a statement. The problem arises because habitat areas and species areas are drawn down to the square meter on the nature maps, while Aerius calculation model works with 1 calculation point per hectare.
More peak loaders
According to Staf, the addition results in an increase in the calculated nitrogen deposition for companies. "The emissions of the companies remain the same, the calculated deposition on nitrogen-sensitive nature is increasing. This creates more peak loads." According to the foundation, especially in nature reserves where a lot of nitrogen-sensitive nature has been added in recent years at the extreme border of the Natura 2000 area, such as Veluwe, De Rijntokken, De Wieden, Weerribben and Drents-Friese Wold, there is an additional tax liability.
According to Staf, this model error was reported to the Province of Gelderland on 12 February. "On February 23, BIJ12, an implementing organization of the 12 provinces, published a 'Guide to Pre-test Nitrogen' for provinces. This mentions the addition by Aerius of strips of land outside Natura2000. It is striking that the provinces do not request a correction. of the model, but, where appropriate, request entrepreneurs for additional measures (having additional calculations drawn up, appropriate assessment)."
SGP: Aerius calculations have to be overhauled
The SGP has responded to Staff's analysis. According to the party, the calculations should be different. SGP Member of Parliament Roelof Bisschop: "We have said time and again that making calculations at hexagon level presupposes an accuracy that is far removed from reality. This applies not only to the enormous margin of uncertainty associated with it, but also, as it turns out, for the considerable area outside Natura 2000 areas that is included in this way I call on the minister to quickly listen to the Hordijk Committee: do not make those calculations at hexagon level, but rather at habitat level. ."
Linda van Eekeres
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