No discussion about the impact of ammonia policy

On Wednesday, a Roundtable discussion about the ammonia policy will start. In the run-up to this conversation, State Secretary Martijn van Dam and the agricultural sector are already putting up the proverbial barricades. For example, Van Dam states that there is no discussion, but the sector wants to put a stop to it.   

For the second time in almost six months, Van Dam guarantees by letter to the House of Representatives that the effectiveness of the measures is not under discussion. The fact that the measured ammonia emissions in the air differ was also revealed in the second international review. An investigation is underway to explain the differences in the trend. The results of this are expected in the course of 2018, according to Van Dam.

With which politics and practice are far from in agreement, because in the agricultural sector a great deal of value is indeed attached to the report by researchers Hanekamp, ​​Crok and Briggs† They stated that there was no downward trend, but were also critical of the model in which the measurement data disappear. In addition, the original research can no longer be produced again. 

On February 22, a Roundtable discussion will take place in the House of Representatives on this subject. Then all parties are given the opportunity to expose the abuses that do or do not exist. In any case, the subject achieves something that others failed to do. The various parties in the agricultural sector now know where to find each other. The various sectors in the agricultural sector are joining forces to clarify a subject that has been causing question marks for some time. 

The Dutch Dairymen Board (DDB), Dutch Arable Farming Union (NAV), Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV), Dutch Poultry Farmers Union (NVO), Dutch Pig Farmers Union (NVV) and the Association for the Preservation of Farmers & the Environment (VBBM) all demand a better ammonia policy. The only organization that is missing is LTO Nederland. 

The agricultural sector has invested an estimated 2 billion euros in reducing ammonia emissions. The government states that a lot of profit has already been made in 30 years, but researchers have not found the reduction. It is therefore unacceptable for the organizations involved to continue down this road. The organizations want to stay put. It is also important that the shortcomings are resolved. 

'With the joint statement, the agricultural organizations are asking the members of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs to commit themselves to an independent investigation by a renowned institute such as TNO or ECN. They also argue for an independent supervisory committee. In the future, the organizations also want to have a coordinating role in directing research and innovations in agriculture and developing efficient regulations.'

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