Sneaky nitrogen-sensitive nature added to Aerius

We all see how enormous the impact of nitrogen policy in the Netherlands is. In this policy everything revolves around protecting nitrogen-sensitive nature, in which the calculation model Aerius is decisive. This nitrogen-sensitive nature is recorded on the nature map in Aerius, in 'hexagons' (hectares in the shape of a honeycomb). Minister Schouten wants half of those hexagons to be no longer overloaded with nitrogen by 2030.

I can already tell you: that won't be it! Because… Agri Facts Foundation (STAF) found out that a lot of nitrogen-sensitive hexagons have been secretly added in Aerius. We found out when testing the new update of Aerius - version 2020 became available in mid-October. This version appears to come to different results than version 2019. When looking for the cause, we came across the 'shifting' of nitrogen-sensitive nature.  

We were surprised that many hexagons with nitrogen-sensitive nature have been added in the province of Gelderland. In total about 4.000 to 5.000 hectares. That is strange, there are procedures for designating new areas of nitrogen-sensitive nature, with public documents and consultation rounds. They were untraceable. We made inquiries at various government offices, but nothing came up.

Adding nitrogen-sensitive nature
Nationally, the area of ​​nitrogen-sensitive nature has almost doubled in Aerius in the past 5 years. It currently covers about 200.000 hectares. The addition of hectares of nitrogen-sensitive nature is not limited to Gelderland, this also happened in Drenthe, Overijssel, North Brabant and Limburg. How could this have happened?

STAF contacted the Province of Gelderland about the procedure followed. The answer is nothing short of shocking. No administrative procedure has been followed. Nature organizations themselves update the nature map in Aerius, the province is not involved in this. A second province confirms that this type of information does not pass through the college. STAF also asked questions to the provincial counter BIJ12. He says he is working to implement the law.   

Nature organizations add nature themselves
The inclusion of more and more nitrogen-sensitive nature in Aerius ensures that nature reserves are becoming increasingly sensitive to nitrogen in calculations and that an increasingly ambitious nitrogen policy is required for companies in the area. I find it dubious that provinces allow nature organizations to add nitrogen-sensitive nature to Aerius themselves, out of sight of all other stakeholders.

The minister has formulated a policy aimed at reducing the number of hexagons with nitrogen overload. But it allows nature organizations to rapidly add new overloaded hexagons in Aerius. This only makes the calculated nitrogen problem bigger, instead of smaller. Even more serious is the complete lack of transparency and public participation in the designation process. This touches on our democracy, here the rules of our democracy are being violated. We as the Netherlands should not be allowed to accept this sneaky state of affairs within nitrogen policy.

Jaap Haanstra

Jaap Haanstra is an arable farmer in Luttelgeest and chairman of the AgriFacts Foundation. In addition, he has worked for various agricultural organizations over the past 30 years. Haanstra writes his columns in a personal capacity.

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