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'I want a practical solution for a grazing permit'
The Council of State recently made a firm decision by canceling the Nitrogen Approach Program (PAS), writes Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) in a letter to the House of Representatives. In order to meet the affected companies quickly, she is striving for pragmatic solutions that she wants to propose before the summer recess.
In the letter to Parliament, Schouten writes that more than 3.300 (farm) companies have lost their exemption from a permit requirement for the nature conservation act. The minister says in the letter that she wants to map the consequences of the ruling as soon as possible.
Pragmatic Solutions
Schouten therefore had consultations last week with Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) and provincial executives to see how the central government can respond to the Council of State's decision. During these consultations, it was decided to have teams of specialists work on solutions. The minister says he wants to come up with answers before the summer recess.
"For example, it must be investigated how to deal with the licensing obligation for grazing and fertilising," she writes. The minister reports that he is striving for a pragmatic solution to this. The licensing requirement for outdoor grazing caused a great deal of commotion among dairy farmers. They express their displeasure on social media #worldupside down.
Rethinking nitrogen policy
Although the PAS is no longer used, the ruling does not mean that all licenses will expire. This is possible by means of an individual assessment per application, although the nitrogen deposition should not increase further. Schouten points out the options for parking (internally and externally). It is also possible to fall back on the ADC test if it cannot be guaranteed during the assessment that the nitrogen deposition will not increase.
Finally, Minister Schouten emphasizes that the ruling necessitates a fundamental reconsideration of nitrogen policy. That is why it will take the lead in working on an approach to this, together with the House of Representatives and other authorities.
Click here to read the entire letter to parliament.
Wouter Job
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