Politics Nitrogen
'Expropriation is always a last resort'
Expropriation is a regular means that is currently also being used, emphasized caretaker agriculture minister Carola Schouten several times this afternoon (Tuesday 7 September) during question time in the House of Representatives. It responded to the leaked scenarios for nitrogen policy, in which large-scale purchases and expropriation of agricultural companies play a prominent role. Schouten: "But it is never the starting point of the discussion."
"No, I don't want to get rid of the farmers," the minister responded to SGP MP Roelof Bisschop. "I do think that agricultural companies in certain locations can no longer continue. And we must ensure that we also have the measures that are necessary for this." Expropriation is always a last resort, says Schouten. She cited the House motion to buy peak tax collectors. "That also has to be done in a way that if they don't want it themselves, we will do it anyway. Those resources already exist."
"At the moment expropriation is just taking place. The means exist, it is now also being applied. My point is: you never start with it. You always start by looking first: what are the options, what are the wishes, also from You literally go to the kitchen table with that, but if it is the case that we really can't do anything else - because otherwise you will run into problems with those nature reserves and also with the consequences for housing construction, for example - then you have to say : it won't work here anymore and then expropriation is an instrument that you can use."
Provide clarity in time
Schouten admitted: "The scenarios that we presented do indeed come from the cabinet. And there we asked the PBL (Planbureau voor de Leef milieu) (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency): look at what that means for the tasks that we have." She also said about these calculations: "These are scenarios that we have thought through: how would you, if you think further - if you know that there is still a big task in 2035 - can you provide clarity in time on which farmers, but also other sectors, can make investment decisions? can base on or make their choices for the future. I think that's important, that you don't wait until the very last minute. Here we also see that various reports have recently been published, solicited and unsolicited, about how you can proceed Then I also think it's my job to ensure that at least scenarios are ready, also because the issue is urgent."
'The principle of expropriation is unnegotiable for CDA'
When asked by Joris Thijssen (PvdA) which scenario the cabinet will opt for and when clarity will be provided to the farmers, Schouten was short: "That depends on the formation." According to CDA Member of Parliament Derk Boswijk, 'the principle of expropriation' is out of the question for the CDA. "Because it's also unnecessary and expensive and just time-consuming. We're already dealing with a sector that is declining by 3% every year."
Linda van Eekeres
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