Background Nitrogen Mood
Other nitrogen runs to the same goal
The consultations between the cabinet and agriculture on the nitrogen problem have a high déjà vu content. The runs differ, but the goal remains the same. Agriculture has to give in, preferably through consultation. Other parties are treated differently.
In the meantime, there are few or no guidelines from the cabinet to make the consultation run more smoothly, even though a small assistance in the form of a more realistic KDW, for example, could help a lot.
Van der Wal makes more 'vulnerable'
It can also be argued that nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal (VVD) is even escalating, because while discussions are being held with agriculture about a way out, she is also designating new vulnerable habitats, which will have even more consequences for agriculture. Recently she decided in an almost administrative way the protection of 101 Natura 2000 areas increase.
However, it was not against this that farmers took to the streets again this week to protest. They did this more to express their dissatisfaction with the run-up to a new agricultural agreement that Minister of Agriculture Piet Adema (ChristenUnie) would like, and to express their anger about the bizarre regulations in North Brabant.
Each with his party member
Contrary to the advice of nitrogen explorer Johan Remkes when presenting his second report, the consultations for a broad agricultural agreement do not involve the entire sector or the entire G8, but a number of parties apparently selected on the basis of weight or compliance. This is done under the direction of a new moderator, Walter de Jong. That is a former mayor and party member of Adema, who is in a consultancy firm. What Rutte can do with Remkes, Adema must apparently be able to do with De Jong. Next week, he is reportedly allowed to chair a table discussion again.
In consultation, or else...
Adema has said that he wants to listen to everyone, but recently made the mistake of making threats. Without an agreement, a decision would also be made, he said at a meeting in the country. It confirms many farmers in their feeling that people are not listening after all. This was also heard on Friday from farmers who went to the provincial government in Den Bosch. After all, what good is more time for a permit application if you do not know exactly what to apply for and the end date is not postponed? The provincial VVD then advised to ask for help in The Hague. Agriculture deputy Elies Lemkes said in the debate that she has no choice.
Latent answer
She also wants to take latent space from farmers and companies in the hunt for nitrogen space, but she did not want to say whether she will also do the same at, for example, the Amer power plant. A latent answer, so to speak. There is not yet a working set of instruments to seize that latent space. Allocated space is also a form of possession. The previous government was subtly pointed out to this when the European Commission pointed out that the granting of phosphate rights is regarded as state aid.
Although coalition party D66 is most fiercely opposed to agriculture in the nitrogen debate, this does not happen without damage to that party itself. Earlier, agricultural spokesman Tjeerd de Groot thanked a number of D66 well-disposed scientists for their unwanted advice.
Klaas van der Horst
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