Europese Commissie

Background Nitrogen mood

Schoof sets high goals with 'The Netherlands off the grid'

25 April 2025 - Klaas van der Horst - 26 comments

There has been no lack of free PR for the 'Starter package Netherlands from the lock'. Concepts were leaked to the media days before the letter was discussed in the cabinet. But many points still came as a surprise, especially because of the new perspective of the cabinet.

The bits of information that did come out were enough to provoke reactions from all sides. And perhaps that was exactly the intention: to get some final reactions before the letter is finalized. After all, it is about something, as the title of the piece already indicates. There is also the possibility that civil servants leaked the piece, as has happened more often recently with cabinet intentions, especially if they did not match what was considered official.

The Ministry of LVVN also has experience with this. State Secretary Jean Rummenie noticed this, among other things, in nature policy, where some of his employees felt that they did not have to listen to their boss, leaked policy intentions and also tried to push through pieces that go against the coalition agreement.

'Stupidity' or worries
The upcoming Starter Package has certainly got people talking. State Attorney to MOB, Greenpeace and the entire left-wing opposition. They all thought it was rubbish. Leader Johan Vollenbroek called it 'stupidity at its best'. But he probably also had unspoken ulterior motives and possibly even concerns, because the government plans to roll out a completely new licensing system, which action groups do not yet have a grip on. Greenpeace even went so far as to call the proposed policy an 'insult to the rule of law', because the organisation suspects that the government will not take into account the ruling of the Hague court earlier this year (in which the government was ordered to develop additional environmental policy).

Nice, poisonous words
The register of 'continuing uncertainty' and 'lack of courage' was also played up again by a number of opposition factions. These are nice-sounding words in the media, but also veiled and venomous words towards the livestock farming industry. When Member of Parliament Laura Bromet (GroenLinks-PvdA) says that farmers have a right to certainty, she actually means that they do not have to expect any further stay of execution. She would prefer to get rid of a great many livestock farms. Her colleague Anne-Marijke Podt (D66) means roughly the same thing when she states that the cabinet must show courage in the nitrogen policy. When they said this, they were not yet familiar with the Start Note, but the question is whether they will react more positively to the document that is now available.

View and condolence together
Many agricultural organisations, including those who have had access to draft documents of the Start Note and/or organisations whose directors accompanied cabinet members to the farewell of the Pope who died earlier this week, are more cautious and are keeping a low profile. Mark van den Oever of the Farmers Defence Force has not directly participated in the consultation, but thinks, like his opponents, that the Start Note will not be easy. In a vlog he calls on his followers to brace themselves.  

Still Start Note
And although there was still a lot of speculation in some media that the cabinet would not be able to reach a decision on a definitive Start Note, did it come after all. Actually quite an achievement for the Schoof cabinet, which, according to observers in The Hague, has achieved so little.

New permits
There is an agreement on the budget and on the main lines of the desired approach. The cabinet wants to introduce an arithmetic lower limit, present a new permit system and start a regional approach around the Veluwe and the Peel. The new plans affect all sectors, not just agriculture.

In order to get started quickly, the plans include a starter package including a scheme for extensification, voluntary termination and target management. €2,2 billion will be made available for this.

New look
After the summer, a new permit system will be presented, based on a better insight into the state of nature and all associated pressure factors, it is reported. This would mean that the last nature target analyses that mainly looked at nitrogen, will be put aside. And undoubtedly the permit system will be set up in such a way that it does not fall into the legal trap of MOB and friends again. Furthermore, the cabinet is looking at the 'recalibration' of Natura 2000 areas in the longer term.

In addition to changes in legislation and regulations, nitrogen reduction is also necessary. The government wants to achieve an emission reduction of 2035% (industry, mobility and construction) and 50%-42% (agriculture) in 46 (the date that is also stated in the Climate Act) compared to 2019.

Target management
For agriculture, the government is focusing on target management, natural progression and additional deployment of resources around certain Natura 2000 areas, such as with agricultural nature and landscape management. In addition to the starter package, the government is working on a voluntary extensification scheme for dairy farming, in order to also alleviate the manure market and achieve climate and ammonia targets. €627 million is available for this. There will also be a voluntary termination scheme for farmers who want to stop, for example because they have no successor. €750 million is available for this scheme. An additional €100 million is being set aside to enable nature restoration.

In addition, the government will start working in the areas where the need is greatest (according to the 'Greenpeace ruling'). The start will be in the Veluwe and in the Peel. In the Spring Memorandum, the government has made €600 million available for this. The spending of this money will be coordinated in consultation with the provinces.

In a more extensive letter Minister Wiersma explains how the government intends to achieve the goals set for agriculture. The government seems to be torn between two ideas, because it seems to be partly sticking to nitrogen measures and partly wants to use other benchmarks, such as the state of nature. 

Critical response
This has already elicited a critical response from Agractie. This organisation, like Stichting Stikstofclaim, has campaigned for further decoupling of the old nitrogen policy and, for example, for so-called 'significance strips' around vulnerable nature. These give companies near nature more certainty of doing business.
The letter's hesitation between two ideas also shows that switching to a new policy framework will certainly prove to be a difficult task. The fact that there is agreement within the cabinet not only on an arithmetic lower limit, but also on abolishing Aerius and the nitrogen policy with its critical deposition values ​​(KDW), is in principle a hopeful sign.
The question for many companies is now whether it is all feasible and financeable and whether the measures will come on time.


 

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Klaas van der Horst

Klaas van der Horst is a passionate follower of the dairy market and everything related to it. He searches for the news and interprets the developments.

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26 comments
Subscriber
Arie poor branch. 26 April 2025
This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url = https: // www.boerenbusiness.nl/artikel/10912667/schoof-zet-hoog-in-met-nederland-van-het-slot]Schoof bets high with 'Nederland van het lock'[/url]
Hopefully there will be some movement in the hitherto deadlocked agricultural and nature consultation. It is clear that in order to come closer together, water must be added to the wine from various sides. Hopefully the will for this is present among all parties and the whole thing will be unlocked.
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
Arie poor branch. wrote:
This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url = https: // www.boerenbusiness.nl/artikel/10912667/schoof-zet-hoog-in-met-nederland-van-het-slot]Schoof bets high with 'Nederland van het lock'[/url]
Hopefully there will be some movement in the hitherto deadlocked agricultural and nature consultation. It is clear that in order to come closer together, water must be added to the wine from various sides. Hopefully the will for this is present among all parties and the whole thing will be unlocked.
Given the many lawsuits that have already been filed and that have now been announced, I have no confidence in any rapprochement from the side of nature. They are dogmatic in their doctrine, like many socialist, communist and strict religious parties. Introducing new laws and clearer criteria that cannot be challenged in court is the only solution to move forward.
Subscriber
time bomb 26 April 2025
It's all a bit more nuanced now. Locking everything down is not an option in these times, you can also see that with the climate problems with Sofie Hermans. There are few who can live off climate and N problems. That doesn't mean we should make fun of it, not at all, but there has to be food on the table, so compromises will have to be made. Everyone has to do something, and not just industry, agriculture and traffic. I don't understand how PvdA and Groenlinks can agree like this. PvdA for industry because of employment, and Groenlinks against industry because of pollution etc. I hope we can continue with this concept.
Subscriber
Arie poor branch. 26 April 2025
CM wrote:
Arie poor branch. wrote:
This is in response to it Boerenbusiness article:
[url = https: // www.boerenbusiness.nl/artikel/10912667/schoof-zet-hoog-in-met-nederland-van-het-slot]Schoof bets high with 'Nederland van het lock'[/url]
Hopefully there will be some movement in the hitherto deadlocked agricultural and nature consultation. It is clear that in order to come closer together, water must be added to the wine from various sides. Hopefully the will for this is present among all parties and the whole thing will be unlocked.
Given the many lawsuits that have already been filed and that have now been announced, I have no confidence in any rapprochement from the side of nature. They are dogmatic in their doctrine, like many socialist, communist and strict religious parties. Introducing new laws and clearer criteria that cannot be challenged in court is the only solution to move forward.
These new laws will also have to be passed by a majority of the chambers, so everyone will be better off with the wine.
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
Those new laws are necessary yes but that is possible if one wants a solution forward. The 1st chamber is the most difficult but if VVD, BBB, CDA and smaller parties like FVD, SGP and JA 21 work together it is possible.
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
In addition, I still assume that NSC cooperates in the 2nd chamber and that Holman does not blow up that party from within on agricultural matters. He could easily be on the list for GroenLinks PvdA.
GLPvdA 26 April 2025
CM wrote:
In addition, I still assume that NSC cooperates in the 2nd chamber and that Holman does not blow up that party from within on agricultural matters. He could easily be on the list for GroenLinks PvdA.
Because GroenLinks and PvdA are the enemies?
Subscriber
Southwest 26 April 2025
We have more trouble with the farmers' parties than with the left
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
Enemies? In any case no friends or supporters to come to a workable solution that offers possibilities that offer farmers a living, allow houses to be built and businesses to do business and last but not least, reads the Pas Melders grant permits that have been confiscated.
Subscriber
Maarten 26 April 2025
And those indications of those many Natura 2000 areas are turned back to more normal proportions.
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
Cats with 10 cities, don't make me laugh, 1 of which is in the middle of the Veluwe. That is the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands. Admittedly designed and constructed by human hands, but still!!
Subscriber
CM 26 April 2025
Jetten who has ruined the entire energy industry
Subscriber
xx 26 April 2025
You would think that common sense would kick in at some point, but it still takes a long time.
GLPvdA 26 April 2025
xx wrote:
You would think that common sense would kick in at some point, but it still takes a long time.
Common sense. Oh, that always makes me feel uncomfortable. You can always use common sense when you are for something, but also when you are against it. It also reminds me of Gesundes Volksempfinden. Popular with our eastern neighbors until 80 years ago.
Subscriber
time bomb 27 April 2025
GLPvdA wrote:
CM wrote:
In addition, I still assume that NSC cooperates in the 2nd chamber and that Holman does not blow up that party from within on agricultural matters. He could easily be on the list for GroenLinks PvdA.
Because GroenLinks and PvdA are the enemies?
I belong to the older generation, but the PvdA alone is not that much trouble, the danger lies in GL, In the early 70s and also later purple governments, but it was bearable. With the PvdA's Den Uil cabinet, there was still a premium on slaughter cattle up to 2,5 years. It is not my choice, but with VVD and CDA (without CU and D66) it would not be bad. If the BBB is still there, it can be added too, but please no more PVV. They have good points, no doubt about that, but friendship with Israel, Russia and Romania goes too far for me. But everyone is free to choose a party and thank goodness for that.
Subscriber
gerard 27 April 2025
in the 2 chamber there are no people with any knowledge of nitrogen. so they are whispered what and how it is and nature people can do that very well example ammonia goes km away but that is not true most ammonia already falls within 250 meters and does not get further than 500 meters. and there are many things like that, assumptions assumptions calculation models and that kind of nice and vague
Subscriber
xx 27 April 2025
GLPvdA wrote:
xx wrote:
You would think that common sense would kick in at some point, but it still takes a long time.
Common sense. Oh, that always makes me feel uncomfortable. You can always use common sense when you are for something, but also when you are against it. It also reminds me of Gesundes Volksempfinden. Popular with our eastern neighbors until 80 years ago.
There is a big difference between common sense and indoctrination.
Subscriber
CM 27 April 2025
Common sense? In the area of ​​nitrogen, it is not at all with GL PVDA, D66. They only let nature interest groups tell them everything. Then there is a large opposing block, namely the civil servants at the various ministries who have to make and implement policy. The Deep State that rules in the background. Civil servants should implement impartial policy, but in practice this is not the case. See protests at ministries, invitations of MOB to the ministry, etc. Press releases even at Asylum.
Subscriber
time bomb 27 April 2025
I belong to the older generation, but the PvdA alone is not that much trouble, the danger lies in GL, In the early 70s and also later purple governments, but it was bearable. With the PvdA's Den Uil cabinet, there was still a premium on slaughter cattle up to 2,5 years. It is not my choice, but with VVD and CDA (without CU and D66) it would not be bad. If the BBB is still there, it can be added too, but please no more PVV. They have good points, no doubt about that, but friendship with Israel, Russia and Romania goes too far for me. But everyone is free to choose a party and thank goodness for that.
Subscriber
CM 27 April 2025
Back to the former PvdA of den Uil is not possible and is also not desirable. They had practically invented the waste of money. If you do not want to be with PVV, there is that GL club that now holds the PvdA hostage. Together with D66 we go back to square one. NSC is CDA so interchangeable. By the way, I can find enough negative points for all parties, VVD, CDA is also only mediocre but you have to find a majority and then it is time to cross them out.
Subscriber
gerard 27 April 2025
to compare a country like Israel with Russia and Romania goes too far for me GL I can be brief is a union of 3 parties CPN PSP and another party that can never be anything. I see the pvda and sp being closer together but that is my opinion
Subscriber
CM 27 April 2025
gerard wrote:
to compare a country like Israel with Russia and Romania goes too far for me GL I can be brief is a union of 3 parties CPN PSP and another party that can never be anything. I see the pvda and sp being closer together but that is my opinion
Totally agree. It was already difficult to find a majority and I fear it will not get any better.
Subscriber
mthe promise 27 April 2025
When can I actually start filling up with red diesel? (promise). Reels have to be back in the country soon!
Subscriber
CM 27 April 2025
mde belofte wrote:
When can I actually start filling up with red diesel? (promise). Reels have to be back in the country soon!
All parties have made promises since their existence. That they do not come true is more due to the opposition of other parties than themselves. That is how it works when more than one party has the say. First, let the energy tax on white diesel and petrol remain limited or preferably decrease.
Subscriber
time bomb 27 April 2025
It is with our politics like this if it were to come to elections: of all the bad parties we will have to choose the least bad. It is no different.
Subscriber
GLPvdA 29 April 2025
time bomb wrote:
It is with our politics like this if it were to come to elections: of all the bad parties we will have to choose the least bad. It is no different.
Dear Time Bomb. You only see bad parties? Strange. I think you have far too high expectations of democracy. In a democracy you never get what you always hope for. And in my opinion, the optimal situation is not when "your side" has all the say. Then it gets out of hand. Every party has its own blind spots. We need the others for balance. No party has only positions that make sense. But all parties together are the best system we have. Two cheers for democracy, not three.
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