News Nitrogen crisis
'Exchange old tractor for nitrogen profit'
The Flevoland branch of the advocacy group Agractie has published a survey to gauge interest in a purchase scheme for old tractors. The idea is that the NOx emitted by these vehicles can be used as a 'medium of exchange' to create nitrogen space. Agractie Nederland and Farmers Defense Force support the initiative.
Now that the announced feed measure has been rejected, it remains silent about the nitrogen dossier. Negotiations are progressing with difficulty, according to Agractie. Members from Flevoland therefore come with a plan to create new opportunities. It shifts the approach from NH3 (ammonia) to NOx (nitrogen oxide). The latter substance is emitted by combustion engines, such as in tractors or self-propelled machines.
Emission requirements
Since 1999, the European Union has had emission standards for so-called 'non-road mobile machinery'. This also includes agricultural tractors, self-propelled harvesting machines and many other vehicles. Manufacturers have to meet increasingly strict conditions to meet the latest requirements. The use of an SCR catalytic converter (Adblue), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) are well-known techniques that are also used in cars and trucks. Tractors from before 2000 do not have this technology on board.
Due to these international vehicle requirements, NOx emissions have fallen by 1999 grams per kWh since 8,8. Different requirements apply to tractors lighter than 75 hp. With these figures in mind, Agractie Flevoland suggests that an enormous gain in NOx emissions is achievable by replacing older machines with new(er) machines. The government calculates that 1 kg of NOx space is required for the construction of 3 house. This is equivalent to burning 30 liters of diesel in a tractor from before 1999. A tractor 20 years newer emits 128 grams of NOx for the same amount of fuel.
50 houses for 1 tractor
"Exchanging 1 older tractor on a small dairy farm quickly provides space for 50 houses," writes Agractie Flevoland. According to the initiators, about 70.000 old tractors are needed to build the desired 1.400 houses in the Netherlands. The advantage for the farmer is that animal welfare is not affected and the company is automatically modernized.
To find out how agricultural entrepreneurs in the Netherlands view these plans and how many older tractors they own, a investigation started. It is unknown how many old tractors there are now in the Netherlands. After all, the vehicles are not (yet) registered by means of a license plate.
Financial motivation
Many older tractors and vintage cars are in the hands of hobbyists or farmers who keep the tractors out of sentimental value. Or value an uncomplicated model without electronics. Agractie emphasizes that the plan stands or falls with the arrangement that opposes the trade-in. It must offer sufficient financial motivation.
Niels van der Boom
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