News LTO and Team Agro
Nitrogen protest: cows not in the meadow on May 30
A nationwide nitrogen protest is in the works. If it is up to LTO Nederland and Team Agro NL, all dairy farmers will keep their cows indoors on 30 May. "As a result of various lawsuits, the cow is no longer allowed to go out to pasture without an extra permit, something that is practically and legally unfeasible," according to the organizations.
With the #30MeiKoeUitDeWei campaign, LTO and Team Agro NL call on the government 'to prevent this absurd outcome of the nitrogen crisis'. "The Netherlands is in a legal quagmire, which we are still not over three years after the nitrogen ruling by the Council of State. Farmers, citizens and politicians all want to keep the cow in the meadow. It is also better for the soil and nature," says Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of LTO Netherlands in a statement.
One of the lawsuits that the organizations are targeting is the appeal case by Coöperatie Mobilization for the Environment (MOB) and the Vereniging Leefmilieu (VL) earlier this month against the Province of Overijssel† The judge ruled that the province must investigate the consequences for Natura-2000 areas of grazing and fertilization - for which there is no permit requirement so far.
"We can't apply for a permit every year, apart from the fact that the licensing is still stuck?", says Jaap Lodders, chairman of Team Agro NL. "That is why we will show the consequences of this nitrogen policy on 30 May by keeping the cows indoors." The percentage of dairy farms that apply outdoor grazing increased slightly last year according to trade association DairyNL† The share rose from 83,7% in 2020 to 84% in 2021.
Linda van Eekeres
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