New nitrogen threshold must be MOB-proof

However, unlike a decision on gaseous emissions from manure, this is not a simple stroke of the pen solved. A higher arithmetic lower limit of, for example, 1 mol per hectare (instead of 0,005 mol) must not only be scientifically well-founded and also legally better argued; it must also be demonstrated that the new lower limit is introduced in a situation of decreasing nitrogen pressure, warns the Nitrogen Claim Foundation (SSC) in particular.

For this she refers to the so-called GOL2 ruling of the Council of State from 2022. Professor Chris Backus of the Utrecht Copernicus Institute also often emphasizes this in lectures across the border. This meets the so-called additionality requirement, and is thus hopefully also MOB-proof.

Concrete handles securing
Results from the research into gaseous losses by Wageningen Herman de Boer can help to provide evidence. After all, not all emissions into the air are nitrogen compounds that burden nature and the climate, harmless N2 is also released into the air. Recording this via the CBS and, if necessary, also including it in the Kringloopwijzer could provide important security. If this is arranged, a new lower limit can be established, for example based on the German model.

Legal hunt opens again
There are still a few months to sort things out. The PAS reporters have a grace period until around February 2025. After that, the legal hunt for them will be in full swing again. Not that there is no pressure at all now, but the pressure to take enforcement action against them now is still being resisted. This week the court in Arnhem in five cases still rejects the demands of MOB and the Association for the Environment (Mr. Wösten).

No nitrogen theft
The minister believes that targeted management of nitrogen and placing one interest above another, as requested in an older motion from the House of Representatives, is unwanted. According to her, it is not possible now and will require drastic new legislation, which the cabinet does not want to set up. D66 and PvdA-GroenLinks wanted to use such guidance, especially for the benefit of nature. In that case, extra nitrogen space could be taken from companies in a motivated way.
However, according to Wiersma, there are already limited control options, particularly via the provincial and other nitrogen banks. 

'Farmer friendly' policy
The new ministers at the Ministry of LVVN are serious in their intention to change the policy. This is also evident, for example, from the support for the initiative of the current EU President Hungary for a more 'farmer friendly' CAP and from the intention of Minister Wiersma to grant an exemption for the later sowing of a catch crop after maize. In the past, this latter was a relatively simple matter, but since the subject falls under the new Environmental Act, this has changed. The exemption option has been completely removed, which now requires much more effort to get back.

Commissioners carousel
While in The Hague the government machine is slowly getting going again after the summer recess, in Brussels the political game is already in full swing (although there too many civil servants are still on holiday in their country of origin). Reconfirmed Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is busy consulting with the EU member states about who may supply which European Commissioner. Naturally, the heavy portfolios, such as energy or financial and economic policy, are very popular.

More logical candidates than Wopke
The Netherlands has also nominated 'our' Wopke for something like this. His name was also mentioned in connection with the agricultural portfolio. Apart from the fact that Hoekstra does not seem to have anything to do with it, there are reportedly more logical candidates in the race. In this connection, the Luxembourger Chris Hansen is often mentioned, but the names of the Portuguese Luis Montenegro and the Croatian Dubrovka Suica also come up.

New Timmermans, different content
The powerful French farmers' union FNSEA would rather see a 'real heavyweight', something like a new Frans Timmermans, believes chairman Arnaud Rousseau, with his full powers, but with a very different set of ideas, mainly to roll back the work of the real Frans with regard to agriculture.

Spanish Environment Commissioner?
For the environmental portfolio, which often also touches on agriculture, two names are mentioned: that of the Danish former minister Dan Jorgensen, a candidate of centre-left (D66-like) persuasion. However, he seems to have less strong credentials than the Spanish socialist Teresa Ribera, who is both a woman and more politically experienced. The outcome of the Brussels commissioner game is still uncertain, however, because there is still a lot of lobbying going on everywhere and the European Parliament is also still letting the candidates run the gauntlet.