Politicians want Schouten to come up with an action plan himself

The members of the Senate want an action plan from Minister Carola Schouten (LNV) to prevent capacity problems at the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). This emerged from an emergency meeting on manure fraud on Tuesday 21 November.

Schouten was present in the Senate to answer questions from the senators. The Senate had asked for an emergency meeting following reports in the media about organized manure fraud.

By means of a motion, Koffeman (PvdD) requests that capacity problems at the NVWA can no longer be a reason not to prosecute criminal activities in the fertilizer sector. SP, 50Plus, GroenLinks support the motion. He wants the minister to come up with an action plan himself and not leave it to the sector. This motion is to be voted on on November 28.

NVWA works hard
During the debate, Schouten emphasized that the NVWA is working hard to prevent manure fraud, but that the NVWA has more priorities. According to Schouten, the enforcement agency is doing what it can. "If we do everything we can to prevent manure fraud, we will have problems in other areas. That is why there will be extra budget for enforcement." In the coalition agreement, €20 million released for the NVWA.

NVWA has handed out more than 1.300 manure fines. This shows once again that the NVWA is not sitting still, emphasizes Schouten. "We cannot put an inspector on every cargo. It remains the responsibility of the sector. They will therefore draw up an action plan."

Testing for feasibility
The action plan, which is drawn up by the sector, will be tested for feasibility and enforceability. Schouten wants to involve the NVWA and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency in this. If it is insufficient, it will ask the sector for additional measures. "In the past it was first the government and then the sector. That appears to have worked insufficiently and that is why we are now doing it the other way around, so first the sector itself." The results of manure fraud will be periodically shared with the Senate.

Positive about derogation
Schouten says he is in intensive consultations with Brussels about obtaining a derogation. "There is a lot at stake and there are also many companies that do follow the rules."

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