Fighting nitrogen by recalculating and buying

Ministers Staghouwer and Van der Wal are expected to soon present the two schemes to reduce the nitrogen problem: a targeted buyout scheme and a national termination scheme. Hundreds of millions are ready for the government's 'wildly attractive' offer, according to Van der Wal. The CDA did so at the last minute an attempt with a five-step plan to make adjustments and, according to agricultural spokesperson Derk Boswijk, to make the cabinet's intentions more acceptable to agriculture. Governments and many politicians believe that something needs to be done. Also to help the farmers themselves.

No dire need for dairy farmers
It remains to be seen whether the purchase and termination schemes will be successful. Dairy farming is not in an easy position and costs are high, but milk prices are also historically high. The need for most companies will therefore not be so great that they will accept every government offer. Certainly not if the right fiscal guidance instruments are missing or not good enough.

Space in the wrong place
In the meantime, the nitrogen officials of Staghouwer and Van der Wal have completely different concerns. Perhaps (calculated) deposition space will become available due to the new and previously opened purchase schemes, but this often happens in the wrong places. For example, in Brabant due to the livestock farming cessation scheme, but space for housing and traffic projects is mainly needed in North and South Holland, as they note in a recently published WOO documents.

Recalculate and scale
To solve that problem, among other things, they see the greatest benefit in 'recalculating and scaling' (downscaling of factors) using the Aerius model. The pieces provide a visual representation of how this works. After closing nitrogen financial years, it may also be possible to transfer surpluses.

In addition, in the event of an emergency, a so-called ADC test is permitted. Projects that are considered very important may still cause some damage to nature, but European permission is required.

Friesland does not want additional habitats
Nitrogen space can also be increased or decreased administratively by competent authorities. This became apparent this week from a request from the Provincial Executive of the province of Friesland to Minister Van der Wal. GS ask her not to add additional habitats in the Frisian Natura 2000 area of ​​Oudegaasterbruggen, Fluessen, which means that the area must be classified as nitrogen-sensitive. In Gelderland, maps for nitrogen-sensitive areas had previously had to be adjusted several times because they had been unjustifiably expanded.

According to Erisman, buyout was a waste of money
A striking statement on the eve of the new purchasing round came this week from nitrogen professor and policy advisor Jan Willem Erisman. Through the network for environmental professionals he once again opposes the buyout of companies. He sees that as throwing money away. More than a year ago he looked at it differently. Now he believes that overall sustainability of agriculture is the best way to go.