In various parts of the country, farmers are again protesting against the measures that are hanging over them in the nitrogen policy. The eye-catcher was Malieveld in The Hague, where Agractie is organizing a manifestation. Farmers Defense Force has organized actions in the regions around Assen, Arnhem, Zwolle and Den Bosch.
The protests have been friendly so far. The eye-catcher was the demonstration on Malieveld in The Hague, where there are more than 200 tractors and vehicles with several hundred farmers present and others who care about the agricultural sector. Around noon, among others, Caroline van der Plas (BBB), Derk Boswijk (agricultural spokesperson for CDA) and Tjeerd de Groot (agricultural spokesperson for D66) spoke.
It was the fuse in the powder keg for the demonstrations nitrogen report that Jan-Willem Erisman and Benno Strootman have recently published. They propose that all peak loaders on sandy soils should be bought up and that the Groene Hart and the Gelderse Vallei should be cleared of professional livestock farming. There came a later vision of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency on top, which proposes to make large parts of Noord-Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel free of farmers.
Farmers don't let themselves be expelled
It is not only the very drastic measures that hang over the agricultural sector that make the farmers angry. The fact that they have the idea that Dutch agriculture alone should pay for solving the 'alleged' nitrogen problem also annoys them. "We are deeply touched that you feel that you are no longer wanted in the Netherlands," said Erik Luiten, chairman of Agractie, on Malieveld. "That farmland and farms in some areas have to go for housing and solar fields. Well, farmers are not easily driven away. That's why we are here."
Derk Boswijk, agricultural spokesperson for the CDA in the House of Representatives, was dismayed by part of the public at the protest on Malieveld. The agricultural vision presented by the CDA on Tuesday clearly did not go down well. But Boswijk emphasized that the CDA does not want a compulsory reduction in livestock, contrary to what the headlines suggest. "We need farmers in the Netherlands. A landscape without a farmer is a country without a soul."
Boswijk indicated that, in his view, farmers should play a crucial role in solving societal challenges. And to set them goals for this, which farmers can fill in as they see fit. "We, politicians and the CDA, have abandoned you. That is why I have chosen to come up with the vision. I see a major role for farmers. We have to get out of the current polarization. We are the first party to with an ambitious plan and a big bag of money, but if we don't act, you'll all be screwed and your future will be determined for you."
Livestock must shrink
Tjeerd de Groot, agricultural spokesperson for D66, also accepted the invitation of the organizer Agractie to address the farmers. A move by De Groot, who has been arguing for months for a halving of the Dutch livestock, deserved the respect, said chairman Luiten. Like Boswijk, De Groot also admitted that Dutch politicians have been abandoning farmers for years with a policy of 'grabbing and keeping it wet' without clear choices.
According to him, there is only 1 solution: "It is no different, but the Dutch livestock must shrink significantly." And in between the necessary booing and honking, De Groot said. "Don't let that get in your way. We're going to do it together, with the farmers. For nature and for your future." In doing so, he skilfully dodged a question from Luiten whether there weren't more ways to Rome to achieve the nitrogen targets than a mandatory reduction.
Gray for green
Caroline van der Plas, captain of BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB), received a warm welcome after De Groot's chilly retreat with the tones of the song 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond. She emphasizes that farmers above all want to be taken seriously and that they are listened to. "Nitrogen is not the problem at all. It's about the land, so that they can build houses. Buy cheap and sell expensive as building land. That's what it's about."
But in essence it concerns farming families and farms, emphasizes Van der Plas. "Everyone is talking about the climate challenge, but the biggest challenge in the world is food security. And Dutch farmers are the best at that." Green must be exchanged for grey, emphasizes Van der Plas. "For homes, distribution centers and solar parks. We have the best farmers in the world. And here they say they want you gone."
Nitrogen problem created by hand
Furthermore, the 'nitrogen problem' was questioned by several parties. Wybren van Haga about this: "The nitrogen problem does not exist, it is a problem that was created on paper 25 years ago by designating Natura2000 areas, so-called nature reserves". Moreover, if there should be a problem, entrepreneurs can also tackle this with their own entrepreneurship, says Van Haga.
Edgar Mulder of the PVV also believes that nitrogen is only used to kick the farmer out of the land, and that the government wants to use the land to accommodate immigrants. Thierry Baudet expresses himself in similar words to his colleague, and fears that the 'cartel parties' want to make the Netherlands 1 big city. Once that has been achieved, you will see "that the nitrogen problem no longer exists", according to Baudet.
Roelof Bisschop of the SGP also believes that nitrogen policy should be critically examined, because he believes this policy rests on a wafer-thin scientifically substantiated floor.
Create clarity
Farmers Defense Force (FDF) had its sights on supermarket chain Jumbo in North Brabant. It should also have a nature conservation permit since 2019, according to FDF, but according to the organization it does not have one. The question is also aloud where the drastic measures for heavy industry and aviation will remain to curb the nitrogen problem. "We farmers produce food for the whole of the Netherlands and the EU. Everything is neatly arranged. While many other companies can emit without a nature conservation permit", Mark van den Oever, chairman of FDF before his audience.
But creating clarity and future prospects for every farmer is paramount among the farmers. In the eyes of many farmers, all the measures that are now being proposed are aimed at demolition and not at improving and respecting the role of the farmer in the Dutch landscape.
The protests also commemorate the assassination attempt on journalist Peter R. de Vries last night (July 6) in Amsterdam.
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