Background Nitrogen mood
The model man preaches nitrogen passion
In the courtroom, nitrogen guru Johan Vollenbroek is stronger and more convincing than in an ordinary discussion. In any case, this became apparent during a debate in Eemnes in front of a room filled with farmers, administrators and politicians.
It spoke in favor of Vollenbroek that he came, and he was treated nicely, but there was no real debate. Vollenbroek shared his vision on nitrogen and climate, based on models and projections, but did so in a way that tolerates no contradiction. Vollenbroek's word is the only truth.
Audible snorting
If there was something he didn't like in another speaker's story, there would be an audible snort from his seat. When he was confronted with an unwelcome example in the debate, he brought up another example.
The chairman of Mobilization and the Environment Association attracted by far the most attention and questions, but few from 'fellow believers'. He certainly did not talk to the audience, calling the Netherlands the dirtiest country in Europe in terms of nitrogen emissions and calling livestock farming in the Netherlands a sector that does not generate profit, but which is only a cost item, partly existing by the grace of 'ghost hectares' elsewhere in the world (for soy and the like) and who leaves the rest of the Netherlands with the mess. That caused angry cries here and there, but agriculture is something that Vollenbroek is used to.
Aerius only
When his opponent John Spithoven of the Stikstofclaim Foundation wanted to talk to him about nitrogen depositions instead of model-based emission calculations, there was no answer. Vollenbroek only recognizes Aerius. This also happened in other situations. Vollenbroek said he understands the difficult (permit) situation that PAS reporters and many other farmers are in, but also said that he is not prepared to lend a helping hand to them. The only role of his organizations and affiliated clubs is that of keeping the government within the law, he stated. So much for compassion.
In principle he does not want to acknowledge latent space either. When Spithoven asked whether suitably assessed latent space could still hold, he agreed with visible reluctance.
Funny inconsistency
A funny moment followed when Spithoven caught his opponent and his companion Max van der Sleen in a contradiction. Vollenbroek et al. want a transition to more plant-based agriculture and 75% less livestock, but that must happen within the European context, Vollenbroek said. "Without the EU we have no chance." In the meantime, Van der Sleen argued that the conversion and limitation of the livestock population can still provide farmers with a better income, because there are much lower social costs and because the Netherlands is allowed to unilaterally set minimum sales prices.
We at Aerius
As mentioned, Vollenbroek and his colleagues adhere to the current nitrogen rules, based on Aerius and the strict Dutch Critical Deposition Value (KDW). The producer of Aerius went one step further this week. The RIVM announced that it had to conclude on the basis of its own model that the nitrogen reduction was based on nature is still far too slow.
Preferably German
Certainly little will change in this situation until the elections. However, more and more suggestions are being made to adjust the strict Dutch nitrogen regulations. The New Think Tank, an independent organization for which the NSC has a lot of sympathy, published last week a report in which it is advocated to adopt the German methodology, with a much less strict KDW.
NSC itself states in the report also published this week election program does indicate that it wants a smaller livestock population, especially in intensive livestock farming. However, the party does not have much use for models, as can be read.
Non-cooperative environment
Due to the ongoing nitrogen impasse, there is still something going on in agriculture. This is the long-standing uncertainty among many companies about financing options. Many banks say: no permit, no financing. But not only that. Some banks are also extra careful. Some reasons may be understandable, but it does not help farmers. Strangely enough, sometimes especially in a cooperative environment. Speaking in that context the transition from the chairman of LTO Dairy Farm Erwin Wunnekink volumes. There has been a lot of talk about the name, but perhaps less attention has been paid to what the switch says.
Klaas van der Horst
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