News coalition agreement
Nitrogen Act targets brought forward to 2030
The objectives in the Nitrogen Reduction and Nature Improvement Act will be brought forward from 2035 to 2030, in line with the advice of the Nitrogen Problems Advisory Board (Remkes Committee). This is stated in the coalition agreement just presented (Wednesday 15 December) 'Looking after each other, looking ahead to the future'.
Nothing about how much the livestock needs to shrink. When the coalition agreement was presented by formateurs Johan Remkes (VVD) and Wouter Koolmees (D66), it was also said that it was not a comprehensive government programme. "Nitrogen, climate and nature, the labor market and education still require further details," says Remkes. According to Koolmees, issues relating to the housing market, climate, nitrogen and safety require 'realism for feasibility and feasibility'. Not everything is possible in this cabinet term. Much still needs to be worked out in concrete terms, and according to Koolmees, this provides the opportunity to involve parliament more. In his opinion, more concrete proposals can be dealt with in the Spring Memorandum and then passed on by CPB and PBL.
The cabinet wants to innovate and expand livestock farming, Wopke Hoekstra (CDA) told NOS. Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie) talked about 'providing perspective for farmers'.
Transition fund €35 billion and land bank
There will be a transition fund within a National Program for Rural Areas, in which €2035 billion will be made available until 25 to 'address the challenges in agriculture and nature'. The resources are intended to achieve the statutory nitrogen target of 74% below the critical deposition value. In addition, a climate target of 5 Megaton reduction in 2030 must be achieved with this fund. From 2031 to 2035, 200 million euros per year from the fund is earmarked for nature improvement and restoration, in order to achieve 'extra BHR target reach' (Birds and Habitats Directives) and to prevent structural deterioration of nature.
"Because this approach requires a long-term, predictable and coherent policy, we are setting up a generous transition fund," according to the agreement of VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie. "We are starting the transition to circular agriculture with a good revenue model, so that farmers are enabled and socially appreciated to realize the necessary change, whereby young farmers have a future. We expect a non-binding contribution from banks, suppliers, the processing industry and 'retail'."
Land-based dairy farming
"We are balancing nature and agriculture by continuing the transition to circular agriculture in the field of feed, manure, soil, lease, animal welfare and associated innovations. With the use of residual flows in animal feed, replacement of fertilizer with organic fertilizer and a soil-bound In dairy farming, we close cycles. Agreements are made about this with suppliers and the processing industry," according to the parties.
Area-oriented approach
In the area-oriented approach, extensification, conversion, innovation, legalization and relocation, according to the coalition, can help accelerate sustainability in agriculture. This takes into account natural attrition in the sector. "In areas where the task to reduce emissions and restore nature is so great that voluntary action no longer means non-commitment, we enter into discussions on the farm to look for the possibilities together."
With a land bank, the government wants to make it easier for young farmers to get in and find development space. This land bank gives freed up land for the extensification, conversion and relocation of farms of farmers who would like to continue and for nature.
Align crop protection standards with the Water Framework Directive
The government is intensifying 'the initiated transition to integrated crop protection by setting intermediate targets, promoting innovation and precision agriculture, stimulating green alternatives and decoupling sales and advice'. "We are aligning the standards for the use of resources with the Water Framework Directive. We are conducting research into health effects on farmers and local residents."
'Animal-worthy livestock farming'
Following the advice of the Council for Animal Affairs (2020), the coalition is taking the initiative in consultation with farmers, market parties, social organizations and other 'stakeholders' for a covenant on the development of animal husbandry. "In it, we also make agreements about time horizons, instruments and financial support. This covenant forms the basis of legislation that will come into effect in the coming cabinet term for animal husbandry in balance with public health."
Strengthen farmer's position in chain
Together with chain parties and the Authority for Consumers and Markets, the government makes binding agreements to strengthen the position of the farmer in the chain. "We expect a non-binding contribution from banks, suppliers, the processing industry and retail. Where necessary, agreements are legally guaranteed. We expect transparency from supermarkets about how their entire range will be demonstrably sustainable and animal-friendly, including sustainable purchasing behavior and a fair price for farmers. We are investigating how consumers can contribute to making agriculture more sustainable. To encourage conscious choices, food produced in the Netherlands is provided with an origin label. The government commits itself to sustainable purchasing and locally produced food."
EIA and MIA subsidy budgets up
The incentive measures that the government has planned include increases for the energy investment allowance (EIA) and the environmental investment allowance (MIA). For the EIA, the budget will be increased by €2023 million per year from 50. For the MIA, the budget will be increased by €2025 million at the beginning of 30. Many agricultural companies rely on these schemes for their own energy production, among other things. A total of 1,5 billion will be used from the reserve of this fund for cash expenditures for the Sustainable Energy Incentive Scheme (SDE).
Green gas producers can also produce from the blending obligation (up to 20%) for green gas from 2023.
Tomorrow the coalition agreement will be debated in the House of Representatives from 10.15 am. You can download the coalition agreement at: Coalition agreement 'Looking after each other, looking ahead to the future' | Publication | Cabinet formation (kabinetsformatie2021.nl)
Linda van Eekeres
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