News Nitrogen
Farmers draw hope from small nitrogen steps
According to Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the four-hour nitrogen conversation led by Johan Remkes with the cabinet and the eight agricultural organizations was not a negotiation. During the meeting, the cabinet promised to 'look into' many topics, as it turned out afterwards. The government seems to be moving in the Critical Deposition Value (KDW), which is a tricky issue for farmers. An agricultural authority is also being investigated, as is the accelerated legalization of PAS reporters. Remkes indicates that he will come up with a report within a few weeks that makes recommendations for solutions in nitrogen policy and, remarkably enough, the perspective for agricultural entrepreneurs.
The government has promised a few things. It will examine whether an agricultural authority can also be established in addition to an ecological authority. The Ministry of LNV and the sector will also examine how and when the critical deposition value (KDW) can be replaced by 'another legally tenable system'. In addition, it will be examined how space can be created in the coming period to grant PAS reporters a permit and how any damage can be compensated if this does not work. It is also being examined how innovation schemes can be followed up.
For Agractie this is 'too lean and not concrete enough'. "We are not satisfied, but we come from far and these are the first steps", foreman Bart Kemp tells Boerenbusiness. He notes, however, that he sees a changed attitude of the cabinet. LTO also sees 'a more positive attitude in the cabinet'. After the conversation, Remkes told the press that ministers of LNV have indicated that the department has been too internally focused and is now striving to keep doors and shutters open to voices from society.
2030 continues to stand for achieving goals
The 'coalition agreement is leading', underlined Minister Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen), who appeared to be doing her best to temper agricultural expectations after the conversation against the media. According to her, the year 2030 will therefore continue to stand for the emission reduction targets. "The Remkes process is not a negotiation process. We must be able to continue to grant permits." The minister cannot say how quickly we can get rid of the KDW. "We have to work together towards the goal of nature restoration, work out that roadmap together. ... We have to emit much less nitrogen very quickly." The nitrogen card is not going away, she indicates. "We cannot avoid mapping out how much nitrogen is emitted per area." According to her, the map will become much broader if water quality and climate targets are also added.
The agricultural organizations (LTO, Agractie, FDF, DDB, NAV, NMV, NVP and POV) sat down at 11.00 with Prime Minister Rutte and Ministers Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality), Van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) and Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) led by Remkes. The conversation was supposed to be finished around 13.00:15.00 PM, but that turned out to be too optimistic and ended after XNUMX:XNUMX PM. During a smoking break, Remkes told some members of the press that he ended up in a wasp's nest.
Difficult and explosive conversation
"As far as Agractie Nederland is concerned, we have passed the point of anger", the . began speech by Bart Kemp. "We are past the point of apologies. We now expect action." The conversation was difficult and explosive, says Agractie afterwards. "No concrete commitments were made, many problems were put back and people are hiding behind legal reasons. Yet we see a changed attitude in the cabinet. Shrinkage of the sector is not a goal. A small step has been taken and it has been agreed that we will step down. of the KDW. And instead the state of conservation, the actual state of nature, as the goal. That concrete work is being done on more solutions and money to legalize PAS reporters and bottlenecks, "said the organization in a statement.
Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of LTO Nederland, says in a message: "During the conversation, all parties were able to make their point. Sometimes we discussed the content in depth with the cabinet and tried to find each other. chattered between the agricultural organizations and the cabinet. As far as we are concerned, it is now up to Mr Remkes to deliver his advice. We are looking forward to that, a lot depends on that. After that it is up to the cabinet to take important decisions to restore trust."
The first meeting with farmers' organizations was on 5 August. At that time, of the parties present today, only LTO was present. Behind the scenes there is talk. The eight organizations only wanted to come today if it was possible to discuss, among other things: no early timetable to 2030, the KDW not in the law and focusing on innovation. The organizations also want a quick solution for PAS reporters.
Remkes also mentions perspective in report
According to Remkes, the process will be continued in six weeks: 'where are we now and what progress has been made'. Remkes now wants to report on the second half of September and, in his own words, 'say sensible things' that also relate to the subject of perspective, which he believes is inextricably linked. The latter is remarkable. Agriculture minister Henk Staghouwer will present a new perspective letter for Budget Day.
Linda van Eekeres
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