Background Nitrogen mood
After anticlimax Remkes continue without 'perspective'
Disappointment and discouragement set the tone for the agricultural and agribusiness sector this week. In terms of content, many agreed with FDF leader Mark van den Oever, although his words are not always their own, the cabinet position felt like an anticlimax. Viewed from this point of view, just as many could have agreed with Johan Vollenbroek, who spoke of 'messwork'. In our weekly Nitrogen Mood section, we give an impression of the nitrogen crisis in our own way.
The list of peak loaders, which came a little quietly after the cabinet position, was also not a precision work. On the basis of current and correct data, that list would have looked very different. Perhaps the list was not drawn up with that in mind, but more as a scenario study. Nevertheless, it does not give the impression that the government is on top of it to solve the nitrogen problem along the lines of the story that Johan Remkes spoke during the presentation of his report on 5 October. For the time being, these are nice words for an empty packaging.
Better list of peak loaders
Nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal, who first denied the existence of a list with peak tax burdens, sent an official analysis on the possible effects of peak tax burdens last Friday, after the cabinet position. It was also promised that RIVM would put a note online 'within a few days' with a verification of the figures and an explanation of how the previously compiled dataset was created. RIVM does not seem to give priority to this either. It is still eagerly awaited.
Such a feeling is also alive in the farmers' action group Agractie, which, completely in line with the Remkes report (What is possible), also asks itself in three words how difficult it all is now. Under the title 'What next?' the solutions already supported are patiently brought to the attention once again. But the government must want to.
Battle of directions and old NEMA figures
The battle for directions is clearly not over. A sign of this is a report in the Financieele Dagblad, which is based on an 'official inventory' on ammonia. According to this piece, Minister Van der Wal would have to buy seven times more peak loaders than Remkes thought. Poultry farmers have already become acquainted with these kinds of thoughts. They have seen that in particular keepers of broiler breeders are registered in the NEMA system for a very old standard that is no longer current (NEMA = National Emission Model for Agriculture). Often still with a standard of 790 grams of ammonia per animal, which would be good for politics when buying. And with standards like that, it's easy to get to '144 times Tata Steel', as the FD says. However, the actual emissions at the majority of companies are much lower. Often 580 grams and with the most modern barn systems even 100 grams, that's what poultry farmers assure.
The House of Representatives will soon have the opportunity to make adjustments and create clarity. A debate is imminent about the Remkes report. But to really do that, it is necessary that coalition parties get out of line and deviate from the coalition agreement. So far they don't.
Press politics
The pressure on politics from other sectors, such as construction and aviation, is also high. Their lobby also generates much less visible opposition from, for example, all kinds of NGOs than that of agriculture. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has already made a choice for a long time. It recently recruited a new expert to help Schiphol obtain the necessary permits. If it succeeds in the requested mission, there will be less room for sectors such as agriculture. Action group MOB put extra pressure on the kettle this week by demanding a penalty payment from the Ministry of LNV if it does not enforce the nature permits of Schiphol and Eindhoven and Lelystad.
ABN Amro is also trying to give the cabinet a push. The bank has already calculated how much emission reduction different measures in dairy farming will yield and how much they will cost. The bank also advises the cabinet to set up a system that guarantees emission reductions, such as a billable substance balance.
Perspective letter becomes agricultural letter
A few weeks after the debate on the Remkes report, the debate on the former 'perspective letter' from the Minister of LNV is scheduled. It is now called 'agricultural letter'. It is actually symbolic: Henk Staghouwer stumbled over the perspective for the farmer. Piet Adema immediately gives his letter a different name.
Klaas van der Horst
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