Background Nitrogen mood
The Agricultural Agreement was not just about livestock density
'Not surprising', is suddenly heard in many places the day after LTO has left the agricultural consultations. As if it had been clear beforehand that chairman Sjaak van der Tak was going to throw his bag in the corner. It's not that simple. And Agriculture Minister Piet Adema can still conclude an 'Agricultural Agreement' with the remaining parties. Although they have little to deliver and the organizations at the 'head table' have now made it known that they see no point in this. In our Nitrogen Mood section, we give an impression of the nitrogen crisis in our own way.
An Agricultural Agreement without large agricultural parties may seem a strange figure, but from a political point of view it could have been a handy tool to prevent problems in the coalition. For example, it can be very convenient for the CDA, which does not have to end up on a collision course with the other participants in the coalition. However, this is still speculation.
Northern LTO'ers don't mind
It may now be clear that LTO chairman Van der Tak, deep in his heart, would have liked to sign, but that he was stopped by a number of his fellow directors. It is also not surprising that these were mainly southern administrators. Southern dairy farmers in particular were most likely to be hit hardest. The directors of LTO Noord have far fewer objections.
In East Brabant in particular, where dairy farms have relatively the least amount of land per number of animals, a GVE standard or grassland standard, as proposed by the cabinet, will have disastrous results. According to a rough estimate, about 3.000 companies will soon be in serious trouble. In the east of the country and in the Veluwe, things will also be difficult here and there, but there it is mainly the emission requirements in combination with the proximity to nature that cause problems.
Mix and skim
Putting everything on the credit of a livestock density standard is too much credit for this point. The draft text of the agreement also contains matters about the mandatory addition of organic milk and the skimming of phosphate rights upon transfer that are difficult to digest. The government also did not want to be specific about compensation for nature and landscape management and for more sustainable products. Moreover, despite all the questions from the government, nothing has come back, according to farmers' action group Agractie. For example, no solutions have been provided for PAS reporters and farmers with Green Label barns.
No cabinet handouts
In fact, there has been since the Letter to parliament from Adema van november last year, after more than eight months of consultation, nothing has changed in the government's position, according to the Stikstofclaim Foundation. He concludes that the farmers should therefore not be blamed for the current impasse, but the cabinet. There is long and broad talk, but nothing conceded. Most agricultural organizations agree, with the exception of small groups, such as organic farming and agricultural conservation organizations. The coming days and maybe weeks, until the summer recess, will show whether Minister Adema is now going to work hard on legislation to get agriculture in line or whether a new creative solution will be found for further consultation.
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Klaas van der Horst
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