Background Nitrogen mood
Cabinet fallen, but policy must continue
The cabinet has fallen, but the government coalition actually wants to continue with the policy it has started as much as possible. This became clear this week during the debates and votes in the House of Representatives on the question of which topics should be declared controversial and which should not.
Traditionally, after the fall of a cabinet, the parliament takes extra account of the opposition parties and does not try to push through the broken coalition. After all, the collaboration has failed. This time there was not a great deal of favoritism, even though an exceptional number of members of the old partnership decided to give up politically. It smacks of bitter frustration.
Gift for opposition
The opposition can do little other than show surprise and dissatisfaction about this attitude, but it also knows that the attitude of the old House can help it in the election campaign. It is an appreciated gift, especially for the BBB and NSC. Continuing to push forward in the manner of recent years is precisely what has made Caroline van der Plas and Pieter Omtzigt so popular.
Still, picket posts fell
However, the fall of the cabinet and its aftermath have caused some stakes to fall. For example, even Member of Parliament Tjeerd de Groot now acknowledges that the year 2030 is no longer feasible as an end point for the nitrogen reduction plan. Nitrogen Minister Christianne van der Wal also seems to understand that her Nitrogen Act will no longer pass the House of Representatives now that her own VVD faction no longer believes in it. She had other thoughts for a long time. Her outgoing colleague Piet Adema had more quickly drawn the conclusion that now is no longer the time for grand plans.
Freed from external pressure for a while (because there are no more talks about an Agricultural Agreement), seven farmers' organizations from the dairy farming industry have put their heads together and a vision of the future drawn up. It is the undirected fruit of all consultations. In the piece they indicate how they want to achieve a change towards climate neutrality together without ultimata from politicians, but with some political support.
Target regulations
The dairy farming organizations, like many large companies, want to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. On the basis of goal and not means regulations. They actually want to get rid of a few existing pesticide regulations, such as the ban on meeting the full nutrient needs of their crops with animal manure, instead of with a mix of artificial fertilizer and manure. This and the plan to be allowed to use processed manure as a fertilizer substitute still require some European hurdles to be overcome. However, not everything has been thoroughly explained. A number of organizations report that their members do not yet know anything about it.
Hoekstra light for climate pope
Perhaps with Wopke Hoekstra as the new European climate pope, more is possible in the field of manure and the environment than was possible with his predecessor Frans Timmermans. It is also quite possible that the Brussels mills will run little differently. Despite all the technological progress, official-political circuits have not become faster or better, but rather slower and more difficult. Hoekstra has not yet been confirmed as the new European Commissioner. First it must be accepted by the European Parliament. There, the left wing is already critical in advance, because they have not yet been able to catch him with much climate feeling, while a coalition of large green NGOs is also not keen on Hoekstra's arrival, because he 'has too little experience' in the field of climate. CDA green is not green enough.
Van der Wal irritates peak loaders
In the meantime, the Minister for Nature and Nitrogen continues to report growing interest in the purchase scheme for peak loaders. More and more companies are inquiring about the possibilities - already more than five hundred. To be fair, Minister Van der Wal notes that informing does not equate to signing. The example of the Grin family in Biddinghuizen will not immediately make other interested farmers more eager to sell their company to Van der Wal. The minister, who is also a candidate MP for the VVD, is unable to reach out to the said family, and perhaps others as well. to strike the right tone. It often has to start with that.
Van der Wal does not target all peak loaders. The farms on the Veluwe, but not a shortcut in the same area. Schiphol of course not either. that is a peak burden, but the national airport falls under a different regime, with rules that do not apply to ordinary farms. Not all peak loaders are equal for the government, but that was already known.
The VVD has now decided to include Van der Wal, despite her reputation in the countryside, among the first five candidates on the list for the House of Representatives elections at the end of November. In any case, she is appreciated internally.
De Groot waits
Whether D66 Member of Parliament Tjeerd de Groot will also get a place on his party's list will only become clear in a few days. This politician, who is not very appreciated in agriculture, seems to want to continue. In any case, he is not one of the large crowd of veterans who have indicated that they will leave. De Groot leaves it to the judgment of the D66 nomination committee. In the meantime, he shows no signs of fatigue or despondency. He continues to fight for fewer cows and livestock farms. The time he drove around at the NZO with dairy advertising on his car seems like something from another life.
Klaas van der Horst
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