Background Nitrogen
Agriculture can reduce, but does not want concessions
The Agricultural Collective expects to be able to reduce 7 to 9 kilotons of ammonia with a diverse package of measures. During the presentation on Wednesday 20 November in The Hague, it also became clear what farmers do not want. Making concessions seems impossible. However, a call is made for a meeting with the cabinet.
In the plan the different animal sectors (dairy cattle, pigs and poultry) are split up. In the dairy sector, in which in theory the greatest reduction is possible, the Collective has 3 technical measures in mind. Simply put, this comes down to less protein-rich cattle feed, different spreading techniques and more grazing.
More grazing
The plan is to increase the number of hours of compulsory grazing: from 720 hours to 1.220 hours per year. This results in a reduction of approximately 2 kilotons of ammonia, provided the companies comply and the proportion of 'crude protein' in the rations does not increase. "Many companies already meet that standard, it is just not yet included in the calculation," says Jeroen van Maanen of Farmers Defense Force.
The measure is striking, because grazing is under discussion due to the nitrogen impasse. Now that the Nitrogen Approach Program (PAS) has been swept aside, permits must be issued for grazing. The government is still considering an approach. Minister Carola Schouten (of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) indicated at an earlier stage that he was striving for a practical solution solution† The Agricultural Collective wants the permit requirement to disappear.
'No shrinking dairy herd'
In addition, the Collective wants to add water to turf fertilization. This costs approximately €2 per cubic meter extra, but results in a reduction of 8 kilotons of ammonia. It is reported that 2,5 kilotons can be reduced with less protein-rich animal feed. If every measure (out of 3) is applied by 33% of the dairy farms, then the reduction of ammonia will be more than 4 kilotons, the Collective calculates.
Sieta van Keimpema, the chairman of the Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB) and spokeswoman for the Agricultural Collective, says that dairy farmers should be able to voluntarily choose which measure suits their own company. Not the dairy sector, but the government must subsequently guarantee this. "Otherwise it will become part of the milk money again. We want to prevent that. We want to keep the dairy sector at a distance," says Van Keimpema. A shrinkage of the dairy herd is not an option. This is because phosphate legislation has already made huge holes in animal numbers in recent years.
- Sieta van Keimpema
Development space crucial in pig farming
The 2020 stopper scheme and the planned 'warm remediation in pig farming' are expected to result in a reduction of between 3 and 5 kilotons. The collective wants to reuse that space, so that there is still room for development. "This is crucial for the future prospects of those who stay," said Linda Jansen on behalf of the Producers Organization Pig Husbandry (POV), which is part of the Collective. There is also a push for additional development funding, on top of the €80 million that has already been made available for new barn systems.
Mink farming wants €300 million, so that companies that have to stop before 2024 make a soft landing. That yields 0,3 kilotons. "We need this money to be able to properly demolish our locations, or to convert them for other purposes," said mink farmer Mischa Bouwer on behalf of Farmers Defense Force. All in all, the plans cost €2,9 billion, of which €500 million is needed in the short term. This money may not come from the regular agricultural budgets, but must come from other The Hague's funds.
Clear preconditions
In addition to the plans, the Collective also comes with 10 preconditions† With dot on 1 it is stated that there should be no generic shrinkage. Also, all licensed, but not yet realized, stable space may not be taken. The Collective also does not want a forced buy-out. It is interesting in this area. Although the cabinet is in favor of a voluntary purchase scheme, they do want to be able to transfer nitrogen space to the other sectors. For the Collective, only rental or lease is negotiable. This will undoubtedly lead to further discussion. It also strives for central government policy, a threshold value of 1 mol per hectare and a recalibration of Natura2000 areas.
In short: The Agricultural Collective promises to be able to reduce 7 kilotons to 9 kilotons of ammonia, which will help the construction sector move forward. According to the collective, the construction of 75.000 houses will cost between 0,1 kiloron and 1,1 kiloton of nitrogen, so do the math. The reduction does cost a lot of money. In addition, the terms do not appear to be negotiable.
'Quick in conversation'
The question now is to what extent the government is responding to this. When receiving the plan, Schouten acknowledged that it is now her (and the cabinet's) turn. Chairman Aalt Dijkhuizen indicated that he wanted to enter into discussions with the cabinet as soon as possible. Hard deadlines have not (yet) been set, but there are threats of new protests if the cabinet does not embrace the plans.
Wouter Job
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