VVD: 'Livestock does not have to shrink'

The Dutch livestock does not have to shrink to meet the nitrogen requirements. This is what the ruling party VVD says in Algemeen Dagblad (AD). According to the VVD, moving livestock farms and financially supporting special barn systems can be sufficient to reduce nitrogen emissions.

"Farmers are allowed to keep as much livestock as they want," said VVD MP Mark Harbers in the AD† "The goal is to reduce nitrogen emissions, not to reduce livestock," he nuances. This sharpens the relations in the coalition, the newspaper notes. D66 and ChristenUnie are striving to reduce livestock numbers. The CDA has previously questioned the measurement methods.

No less cow or pig
"It's not about the number of cattle," Harbers claims. "It's about reducing nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector. If a company invests in nitrogen installations and therefore has hardly any emissions, no cow or pig needs to be kept less."

The VDD thinks it is unfair that farmers are blamed in the nitrogen crisis. "Farmers have always adhered to the rules, they have invested and have all the permits in place." Those permits may not be taken from Harbers. "Farmers can keep as many livestock as they want."

De Groot surprised
D66 MP Tjeerd de Groot reacts surprised in the AD to Harbers' statements and states that they are against the earlier agreements. "The fact that we help farmers with the transition to circular agriculture or with a fair buy-out scheme is clearly stated in the coalition agreement, the climate agreement and in the cabinet response to the Remkes report."

Also watch: Masterclass: Schouten's nitrogen policy unraveled en Nitrogen: the answers to your questions.

Does the VVD want less livestock?
No, the VVD wants less nitrogen.

Could it lead to less livestock?
Yes, if farmers, for example, voluntarily have their farms bought up, yes.

Voluntary: that's what we're all about. Forced less livestock? The VVD says no to that.
Interview @MarkHarbers @ADnl pic.twitter.com/WBDnrRq6wY

— VVD (@VVD) October 12, 2019

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.