The cabinet wants to nibble an amount of €2,2 billion from the large funds that it announced at the formation to, among other things, solve the nitrogen problem. At the same time, the Ministry of LNV will receive more money for, among other things, initiating area processes that are necessary to give nature more space.
All this is apparent the spring memorandum 2022, which the cabinet has released. According to Minister Kaag (Finance), the adjustment of expenditure should not be seen as a cutback or moderation of the government's efforts. The majority of the €2,2 billion in cuts will also fall in the second half of the government's term of office and beyond. Only the €660 million that the National Growth Fund (for, among other things, incentive schemes for sustainability) must surrender will be cut this year.
Also more money for nitrate policy
In the short term, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality will receive several hundred million extra, for, among other things, the design of the area-oriented policy, which should create more space for nature around Natura 2000 areas. To speed up these processes, money is also being allocated for 60 FTEs of additional manpower. The ministry will also receive extra money for the implementation of the seventh Nitrate Directive action program. A large part of this money comes from the fund for the intensive livestock farming purchase scheme. Not all extra money for the ministry is new money. There is also a lot of shifting of funds that were previously intended for somewhere else.