Background Nitrogen mood
Chamber ignores Wiersma, forgets Nitrate Directive
On the last day before the Christmas recess, the new House of Representatives showed who's in charge in The Hague: Agriculture Minister Femke Wiersma or her political opponents. It was the latter, of course, as they hold a majority. Even the VVD, the last remaining ally in the struggling Schoof cabinet, abandoned Minister Wiersma when it came to voting on her fertilizer plans.
She might have seen it coming, as there was already a dispute with this party about water quality. The question is what Wiersma will do now. The fact is that a majority in the House of Representatives voted in favor of a motion by Christian Union MP Pieter Grinwis. It calls for the old 7th Nitrate Action Program to be continued for a while and for further decisions to be left to a new cabinet.
Read the guideline? Is the chairman awake?
It may not seem like an unreasonable question at first glance, but would Grinwis or one of his fellow voters the text of the Nitrates Directive Have you checked it? Article 3, paragraph 4, states that a new action program must be submitted at least every four years. That's not going to happen. Is the House of Representatives turning against the European Union with this? House Speaker Thom van Campen should have raised his hand and warned us.
It shouldn't be surprising if Brussels soon initiates an infringement procedure. Moreover, is there still a chance of a new derogation after this? Or was the intention to make everything go wrong? It's clear that the Schoof cabinet was anything but a model of clear and purposeful action, but the actions of the House of Representatives this week aren't exactly helping the livestock farming sector either.
Advocates silent, distracted
In fact, the problems for this sector are piling up. There will be no relaxation of requirements, but rather even more and stricter regulations. Another factor is that the agricultural sector itself is not sending clear and strong signals. Regarding manure policy, the Agractie and the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV) were particularly vocal, in addition to individual experts. The Netherlands' largest agricultural advocacy group, LTO Nederland, is virtually absent from the public debate but also appears to be facing internal problems. Its director is transferring to the CNV union, the dairy farming sector association—already virtually invisible—is choosing the vice-chairman as a new face after a series of failed recruitment procedures, and the chair of the youth wing (NAJK) is also leaving. At tense meetings across the country, such as in Utrecht regarding the Utrecht Rural Area Program, the advocacy group is also struggling with its position. Enthusiasm and inspiration seem far away.
Chipmaker forgets agriculture
That impression remains even after the presentation of the Wennink report, by the former ASML director of the same name. The former head of the Veldhoven-based chip machine manufacturer was commissioned by the cabinet to write a report on the future earning capacity of the Netherlands, and in writing it, had practically overlooked the agricultural sector, even though it also has many manufacturing companies. Anyone who thought these companies and their organizations would then make themselves heard will be disappointed.
Agreement with MOB
Companies are keeping quiet, but also complying. MOB, Johan Vollenbroek's organization, triumphantly announced this week that it had forced several large food companies, including FrieslandCampina Veghel and previously Olam in Koog aan de Zaan, to reduce emissions. This was in exchange for an end to further legal proceedings. The press release This was even agreed upon jointly with FrieslandCampina and the province of North Brabant. Reducing emissions is fine in itself, but making agreements on this matter with activist groups feels dubious. Many Gelderland livestock farmers will inevitably recall the times when they had to deal with the Vereniging Milieu Offensief (VMO).
Brittle base
The Dutch food sector is increasingly under pressure, despite warnings about strategic interests. This Christmas, there will be plenty of food, and thanks to exceptionally favorable conditions, much of it is even quite affordable. However, this achievement rests on fragile foundations. The economic foundation of many farms that have produced so generously this year is often shaky. The lack of appreciation and opposition are also gnawing at them. Many farmers, in precisely this situation, would like to see a change and experience input on how they too can achieve a sustainable future. Ill-considered and poorly informed political decisions are not helping.
Klaas van der Horst
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