News Nitrogen
Minister cannot legalize PAS reporters faster
Also in the continuation of the outline debate on nitrogen, no clear perspective was outlined for the majority of farmers who want to continue their business. In retrospect, according to Minister Henk Staghouwer, it would have been better to have aligned the approach to the agricultural transition with that of nitrogen. "Then we would have provided clarity and clarity." He promises to come up with a perspective for the agricultural sector in June, although he tried to give an insight at the insistence of the House of Representatives. Nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal had an alarming message for the PAS reporters: "I don't know how to accelerate anymore."
Van der Wal, Minister for Nature and Nitrogen, indicates that she does not know how to further accelerate the legalization of PAS detectors. What she is already doing: "Speed up area processes, make purchasing schemes more attractive and bring peak loads to the fore. I asked provinces to report as soon as possible with plans that provide space and we pay that bill. I accelerate, I know not how it can and should be done faster.The period between now and 2023 and the inescapable determination of the goals is an incredibly complicated knot, with nature restoration that we have to test it against, we have no room for permitting, the economic sectors want to accelerate, the PAS detectors should be legalized."
She repeated her appeal to think along: "If anyone has an idea how we can go even faster within the framework of the coalition agreement, come along. Help!"
First approach to nitrogen and then agricultural transition
Several MPs, both from the opposition and from the coalition, are concerned (except for how PAS reporters will be legalized) about the lack of prospects for farmers. Yesterday (April 12) Staghouwer would have preferred to hold the debate on agriculture and future prospects. "We announced in February that we are on two tracks: first the approach to nitrogen and then the approach to the agricultural transition. And in retrospect, we might have been better off taking two tracks. Then we would have provided clarity and clarity. now a fact."
Staghouwer will present the further details in June. During the debate, he indicated what is expected of farmers: "We ask those who stay to make the transition to circular agriculture and that requires energy and commitment. But many entrepreneurs are already showing that it is indeed possible. Organic farming has already proven itself. as a convincing example of a production method with low environmental pressure and a well-stocked sandwich for the farmer. Switching to organic production is not a desirable or feasible prospect for all farmers. There are more ways to make sustainable business operations economically possible. It is clear that a commitment to innovation and technology is absolutely necessary to achieve goals. And there is room for this in the proven transition fund. And we are of course talking about financing proven barn innovations."
The chain partners and society as a whole also play a role in the agricultural transition envisaged by the cabinet. Staghouwer: "Over the past seventy years, society has been able to benefit from high-quality innovative and diverse production by Dutch agriculture and horticulture at very reasonable and sometimes even low, very low prices. Now that society is asking for more investment in sustainable, responsible production the same society must show solidarity. I will call on and address the parties in the chain to make agreements. In binding agreements, for example, agreements can be made - also with Rabobank and other partners - about clarifying sustainability requirements, spreading margins between the various links, distributing risks , or the range of sustainable products."
Staghouwer expects the parties to make these arrangements voluntarily. "If they don't, the cabinet will enforce these matters through legal guarantees." However, he is hopeful. He cites an agreement he made with the pig chain this week.
'Don't hide the measure a bit to maintain support'
Roelof Bisschop (SGP) asked Van der Wal: "What is the perspective of farmers if, as a government, you set an unattainable goal in 2030 on the one hand, namely tightening up the nitrogen law, and at the same time also use words such as 'inevitable' and 'expropriation'? Here lies the crux of the loss of confidence that is rapidly fading in the sector." Van der Wal: "I make a choice here by not speaking in gray woolly language and thereby hiding a measure that I cannot rule out in order to maintain support in the sector."
Van der Wal says he is doing everything he can to prevent expropriation. "That means that in the area-oriented approach we are fully committed to what is possible. I want everyone to sit at the table on an equal basis, so that we can color in what is possible per area. But some areas, where the state of nature is such, are deep red. And if it is just so beautiful that exactly in that area many farmers say: I have no successor, I'm going to stop. Great! Then we might achieve the goals without expropriation."
'Thinking as a farmer which can you want'
What will she do to create support? "I am also in full contact with LTO, and that is mainly working together in those area processes. Because in those area tables you start looking for your own future: what is possible. Is it extensification, is it in combination with nature management, is it It is a different way of doing business? And also for the voluntary quitters: what does my future look like? What can I do with my land? How do I start a conversation with the municipality? Can I indeed keep my land for others? purposes?"
She continues: "Here is the guideline, only we are now in an intermediate phase in which we outline the main points, but that it is still not clear for each individual farmer: this is what it will mean for me. And at the same time I say to everyone the sector: it does not absolve anyone in the sector from the opportunity to think for themselves and I know that there are an awful lot of farmers who do that, who know which way they want to go. In this way I hope for support. sharing, looking for ambassadors of farmers who are all for this. And who give a voice. That's what I'm looking for."
Linda van Eekeres
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