News Nitrogen file
New reference date for nitrogen and phosphate: 4 October 2019
In order to cope with the nitrogen impasse, the cabinet has opted to make internal and external balancing possible again. The reference date for the number of animal and phosphate rights has been set at 4 October. Furthermore, it is promised that the shrinkage of the livestock will not be forced, but will happen voluntarily, smartly and warmly.
In a letter to the House of Representatives, agriculture minister Carola Schouten writes that a voluntary reorganization of the livestock is the starting point. Stopping companies with the highest livestock emissions are the first to qualify. It is not yet known how much money will be allocated for this. The amounts are said to be in the billions of euros. Schouten promises those who stay to make investments in low-emission stables possible.
External netting
From 11 October it will be possible again to submit applications for internal netting. External netting is also becoming a possibility, whereby the animal and phosphate rights (based on the ammonia space sold) of a livestock farm are taken over by the government, Schouten writes. The government has set the creaming percentage at 30% for this. The creaming only applies to external netting and not to mutual trade between livestock farmers.
A legislative amendment is needed whereby animal rights can be withdrawn in trade between private parties. This will be submitted very shortly, writes Schouten.
Additional measures are taken to prevent 'undesirable effects' of these measures. The minister means by this that livestock farmers, in anticipation of the amendment of the law, will waive their rights and thereby parry the creaming percentage. The cabinet uses 4 October as the reference date for the number of animal and phosphate rights that an entrepreneur has registered with RVO.nl.
Agriculture: Sacrifice of the countryside
Agriculture in the Netherlands does not agree with the government's nitrogen plans. They consider the actions too premature, given that they do not know exactly where the nitrogen will descend. They also consider netting a sacrifice of the countryside to the city and industry.
In addition, according to the farmers' organisation, the plans will increase the cost price for livestock farmers and companies around Nature 2000 areas will be closed, so that they will be doomed within 10 years.
Click here to read the letter to parliament.
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Wouter Job
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