Dairy sector blows up consultations about its own nitrogen plan

The Dutch dairy sector has blown up its own consultations about an alternative proposal to curb the nitrogen problem. After flaming criticism from farmers' advocates and protests at the offices of FrieslandCampina and ZuivelNL, some parties chose eggs for their money. They have withdrawn from the so-called TaskForce Ammonia.

As a result, the task force was immediately disbanded and consultations on nitrogen and ammonia in dairy were ended, the Dutch Dairy Organization (NZO) said on its website, among others. The abolition was the final piece of a hot day between the agricultural sectors, its representatives and chain organizations. That started this morning (Friday 25 October) with a statement of the Farmers Defense Force (FDF) and the Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB).

They indicated that in a major consultation between all sectors within livestock farming, intensive livestock farming, arable farming, fruit cultivation, trade unions, LTO, FDF and Agractie, an agreement was reached to act jointly in, among other things, protests and advocacy in nitrogen policy. This pact was heralded as a "legendary move." At the same time, the same statement from the organizations furiously issued to the parties in the dairy sector who wanted to submit their own nitrogen proposal to the cabinet within the Ammonia Task Force. There was talk of 'code red.'

The farmers' organizations particularly denounced the fact that the dairy drew its own plan, right through the current farmers' protests, and in the nitrogen proposal also suggested introducing technical measures on the dairy farm. The TaskForce Ammonia had wanted to present this plan today and also to submit it to the cabinet, but that is no longer the case.

After the fierce reaction of the farmers' representatives, farmers with tractors also protested in front of the FrieslandCampina headquarters in Amersfoort and ZuivelNL in Zoetermeer. Once it became clear that the dairy sector had withdrawn its plan, the protests ended and the triggers disappeared. How the shards are now being glued between the dairy sector and the collective farmers' representatives is still unclear.

FrieslandCampina is in any case under a magnifying glass these days with the affiliated member dairy farmers. For example, they strongly criticize the proposal on adjusting the guaranteed price and the cooperation of the dairy group with Natuurmonumenten and the World Wildlife Fund.

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