Background Nitrogen mood
Remkes lures parties out of the tent, cabinet is waiting
Johan Remkes - now instead of being called the discussion leader nitrogen coordinator - held a meeting for the business community again this week, assisted by Berenschot. This time he also wanted to talk specifically about the market prospects, which the resigned agriculture minister Henk Staghouwer should have worked on. Remkes is in a hurry, because on October 5 he will finally present his findings.
A whole row of companies and organizations joined Remkes in the Ministry of LNV this week. In addition to the food industry (FNLI) and the supermarkets (CBL minus Jumbo), there were also Cosun, Vion and a few dairies. There was some discussion about the latter in particular. Invitations were sent out last Friday. Most dairies stuck to previous agreements and stayed away, but FrieslandCampina, among others, decided after some back-and-forth that it had to go anyway. Remkes finally got the business community round the table, just like the first reluctant farmers.
Joint piece G9
From the latter group, the G8 (or nowadays the G9, because now also including the organic sector) has been working on drafting a joint piece towards Remkes. Henk Bleeker would be the secretary. This was discussed again during the week. Not all parties ultimately wanted to commit themselves to the text and put their signature. In addition, according to some, the text of the document was too sloppy and/or not specific enough to enter into the negotiations on behalf of the farmers. For example, provincial area maps would be too easily agreed upon. More stance should also be taken against the Ecological Authority as it is now positioned by Van der Wal.
Nevertheless, many farmers' organizations hope that the nitrogen discussions that are currently underway – via Remkes and also through other channels – will eventually lead to steps towards a possible agreement on nitrogen and everything that goes with it. After all, there is not only contact with the cabinet and politicians, but organizations such as MOB are also being probed to find out what they could possibly live with.
In the meantime, the government is still officially sticking to the timetable and goals for 2030 and Minister for Nature and Nitrogen Christianne van der Wal is still continuing to roll out its own policy. This week she finally gave a response to the critical and long kept secret TNO report on nitrogen policy. TNO finds the planned purchase too expensive and the models for the emission/deposition calculation too vague. In broad terms, the minister endorses TNO's conclusions, but when it becomes concrete, she keeps her distance. She keeps her hands free.
It seems to be part of the negotiation process of Van der Wal and Rutte. They stick to their commitment, while Johan Remkes gauges the commitment of and the scope for the business community and other stakeholders. On the one hand it is clear, but it still looks strange. Remkes was appointed after a request from the House of Representatives, but was contracted by Van der Wal. She also pays the Berenschot agency, which assists Remkes and drafts his texts.
Klaas van der Horst
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