Background Nitrogen file
'Farmer has to bleed for multinational'
The nitrogen plans presented by the cabinet at the end of last week have not gone down well in the agricultural Netherlands. While LTO Netherlands has mixed feelings, the Dutch Dairymen Board and the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV) are only very concerned.
The fact that there will be no forced generic (but a voluntary) contraction is a plus, according to LTO Nederland. The area-oriented approach can also count on support. Incidentally, the voluntary character must be preserved in the future and those who stay must be given a chance to continue. From that point of view, LTO Nederland is very critical of the mandatory 30% skimming for external netting, so that industry and housing can buy nitrogen space from agriculture (by means of the purchase of ammonia rights).
LTO Nederland also states that the cabinet intends to take the latent license space as a starting point for internal balancing. In this way, the part of the shed that is not being used can be taken over. LTO Nederland is considering a legal fight against this. The interest group also advocates speeding up the exploration of a safe threshold value for projects with a negligible nitrogen margin. "If, like our neighboring countries, we apply a realistic and safe lower limit, we can immediately get rid of the nitrogen lock," says Marc Calon, the chairman of LTO Nederland.
Industry is big winner
Sieta van Keimpema, the chairman of the Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB), believes that the multinationals are the winner of the cabinet plans. "We farmers have to bleed, when we are not even responsible for the nitrogen problem." According to Van Keimpema, the measurements of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) are wrong and therefore not reliable, as also noted by LTO Nederland.
"The actual nitrogen plumes are largely located above the Randstad where the large industry is located. In addition, people do not get sick from ammonia from agriculture, but from nitrogen oxide from industry." That is why Van Keimpema is disappointed that the government is focusing on external netting. "Then farms will disappear because of industry and you will only be left with empty nature reserves. Moreover, grassland in nature reserves cannot fix nitrogen, as fast-growing grassland can do with farmers."
Van Keimpema wants the cabinet to prepare economic impact assessments before these plans are implemented. The chairman of the DDB is very concerned about what the disappearance of farmers will eventually do to employment in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen (where numerous entrepreneurs farm in Natura 2000 areas). "If the cabinet wants a quick nitrogen reduction at all costs, they should make public transport free for the time being. In the meantime, the impact reports can be passed on."
NMV doubts legal sustainability
Harm Wiegersma, the chairman of the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV), is also not exactly positive about the cabinet plans. He also refers to the fact that the nitrogen calculations of the RIVM are being questioned. "We lack the underpinning of the proposed policy." Wiegersma also finds it unjust that the problem is largely shifted to the agricultural sector.
Just like LTO Nederland, the NMV also believes it is unjustified that the cabinet bases itself on the realized permit scope for internal netting. Wiegersma doubts whether this is not in conflict with property rights. He also thinks introducing the threshold value in the short term is a good idea. However, he still doubts whether this will hold up in the long term, given that the Nitrogen Approach Program (PAS) has been dropped as a result. He also says that the NMV will come with an official response. To do this, the representative must first obtain advice.
Wouter Job
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