Interview Mark Hol
'Short scrapping period can kill the stopper'
Many of the pig farmers who have applied for the Subsidy Scheme for the Remediation of Pig Farms (Srv) are eligible. Marco Hol, who guides many companies on behalf of DLV Advies with the implementation of the Srv, tells more about the stopping process and the catches. According to him, meeting the demolition deadline is a major point of attention.
What exactly does an average stopper trajectory look like?
"Companies that qualify for the Srv will have 8 weeks after the decision date to decide whether they participate in the scheme. The signed agreement must be returned to RVO within 8 weeks. Within 8 months, the pigs and the pumpable manure from The company is then given 6 months to demolish stables. The entire process must be completed 14 months after the decision date. deadlines not to be exceeded."
What are the catches in the grass?
"There are several caveats. Good planning is of great importance. The 14-month term is leading and if you have not met the conditions afterwards, the subsidy amount can be withdrawn. A flora and fauna study can lead to a delay in the demolition activities. It can happen that there is an endangered species in the barn, such as bats. Then an investigation has to be carried out, and this can often only be done during a certain period. This investigation can slow down the process and thus ensure that deadlines are exceeded. The demolition process also entails time pressure. We actually have too few demolition companies in the Netherlands to be able to provide all applicants, which can also lead to rising prices. Of course, not every pig farmer who has applied for the scheme will stop, but it is very important to make early agreements and schedules about the demolition of the stables."
Do you have any tips for pig farmers who are going to stop?
"My most important tip is to plan well and to arrange a flora and fauna study now. If complications arise, then the situation can be discussed with RVO at an early stage. Because then there is a question of meeting two different deadlines, the demolition period and the investigation of flora and fauna, then a postponement of the demolition period may be possible."
"My advice is to clearly visualize the follow-up process. Keep a close eye on the deadlines and possible setbacks and ensure a little slack in meeting the set deadlines. So that, if there are unexpected calamities, the set deadlines are not jeopardized."
What happens to the location when the stables are demolished?
"The location remains the property of the entrepreneur. Under the scheme, the only obligation is that the intensive livestock farming destination is removed. If other activities are to take place at the location, this must be coordinated with the municipality."
Quite a few applications meet the requirements. How many participants does DLV expect?
"We have guided 70 companies ourselves with the application. Of the 407 registrations that comply, I expect that perhaps slightly more than half will actually participate. Many entrepreneurs find the risk of missing the subsidy amount too great."
You guide many companies during the process, how do you think the process is progressing in general?
"Several decisions from RVO are disadvantageous for the entrepreneur. The decision date was postponed at the time, but that also entails the necessary consequences. The subsidy amount is based on the age of the stable. With the postponement of the decision date, the stable is also has become worth less, which means that the subsidy amount is lower."
"In addition, two measures are also used. It has happened with some applications that the year of the buildings has not been entered correctly. However, if the year should be adjusted upwards, this is not possible according to RVO, but if the year is If it has to be adjusted downstairs, then it is suddenly possible. That is of course very strange and causes a lot of frustration."
"Finally, it is positive that some relaxations have been announced, for example that an entrepreneur may start dismantling as soon as a stable becomes empty. Initially, this was only when all stables were empty and an inspection by NVWA had taken place."
Chanti Oussoren
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