'Effect of nitrogen measures is being snowed in'

Many of the measures that the government wants to take to reduce nitrogen deposition, such as buying up livestock farms, have only a limited effect. Especially for the money that is reserved for it. Nevertheless, these results of the nitrogen calculations of the Mesdag Dairy Fund are barely visible after the presentation.

The Mesdag Dairy Fund made its own calculations yesterday (Thursday) presented from the nitrogen data of the RIVM† In the general media, in particular, a discussion subsequently arose as to which institute calculates the real nitrogen figures: RIVM or Mesdag? What remains underexposed to Geesje Rotgers' disappointment due to this media twist is the limited effect of the nitrogen measures that the cabinet wants to take on reducing deposition.

Little bit of profit in deposition
Rotgers, coordinator of the research team of the Mesdag Dairy Fund, indicated yesterday in The Hague that the nitrogen measures envisaged by the cabinet for agriculture 'are very expensive and have relatively little effect'. "Many measures are taken for a little bit of profit in deposition," Rotgers said at the presentation. She also substantiated this by giving examples of nitrogen precipitation from dairy farms close to a Natura 2000 area. 

According to Rotgers, the remediation of the so-called peak tax burdens, which is an intention of the cabinet, has little effect on nature. Also because these companies are often not close to a Natura2000 area at all. It is therefore a wish of the Mesdag Dairy Fund that the cabinet adopts the correct principles. Rotgers points to the Remkes Committee, which has included the whole of the Netherlands in nitrogen, while it only concerns deposition in nature reserves. "The cabinet is now taking measures based on incorrect assumptions. That has to change."

Jan-Cees Vogelaar, chairman of the Mesdag Dairy Fund, was there yesterday also clear and done: "The cabinet must stop this virtual nitrogen game."

Eric the Thrush

Eric is a member of the editorial staff of Boerenbusiness. As a descendant of an arable family, farmer's blood flows through Eric's veins. He considers himself a generalist, but with a preference for economics, trends, markets and marketing.

e.delijster@boerenbusiness. Nl

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