Nitrogen crisis the downfall of our economy?

The nitrogen crisis plays a major role in our society. Here are some data at a glance: The Netherlands has the highest nitrogen precipitation per hectare within the EU, but there are a few caveats to this.

The Netherlands is by far the most densely populated, with 4,3 inhabitants per hectare, has the highest yield per hectare and, due to its maritime climate, has many more livestock farmers than arable farmers. Germany has 2,32 inhabitants and Belgium 3,77 inhabitants per hectare. If you look at satellite images, for example, the Po Valley in Italy (the size of the Netherlands} has a much higher nitrogen precipitation. This also applies to parts of Germany and even Spain. Yet nitrogen does not play a role in those countries. This is because these countries have their total nitrogen precipitation parts over their much larger surface area, which is why it is lower, which is why the Netherlands has the largest nitrogen precipitation in Europe.

Blows to and from abroad
If you look at the number of inhabitants per hectare, the yield per hectare and the division between arable farming and livestock farming, the Netherlands has the lowest emissions. Another nice detail. In 1990 the Netherlands had a nitrogen precipitation of 2900 Mole per hectare. A mole is 0,014 kilograms. This nitrogen precipitation has now decreased to 1700 Mole per hectare. 1700 Mol x 0,014 kilo = 23,8 kilo nitrogen precipitation per hectare. Part of our nitrogen emissions blows abroad and part of the nitrogen emissions from abroad blows back to us. That is why 33% of our nitrogen precipitation comes from abroad. So 1700% of the 33 mol of nitrogen precipitation comes from abroad. This is 560 moles per hectare.

In order to achieve the nitrogen precipitation in Natura2000 areas desired by nature agencies and the government, the nitrogen precipitation must remain below 2000 Mol in many Natura400 areas. The result: when all activities, people and farmers have been bought away from these Natura 2000 areas, the objectives will still not be achieved.

Buying out farmers abroad
The construction sector thinks: farmers leave and we can build. Forget that, because the precipitation remains too high with these Hague rules. The Dutch government must also buy out farmers and companies abroad in order to achieve the desired goals. How will our government pay for that? Our earnings mainly come from the export products we produce. Of the Top 10 of the most lucrative export products for the Netherlands, more than a third comes from agriculture. And this sector must leave the Netherlands. So earnings gone. Our agriculture contributes 25% to this manufacturing industry. If agriculture disappears, our society will also have 25% less money to spend. And all this to realize desired nature, where you can have your doubts whether this nature was actually in the Netherlands in the past.

Agriculture can and wants to reduce its emissions with all kinds of technical measures and also wants to help nature organizations achieve their goals. The nature authorities must then sit down with the farmers to achieve this and be prepared to invest money in their nature reserves. Moreover, this is much cheaper than buying out farmers.

Jaap Major
Low Zuthem

Boerenbusiness

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