Gov't scrapping deadline for provinces' nitrogen approach plans

Provinces do not have to present new versions of their plans for the rural areas. This was confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) after a report by BNR. There is no new deadline as of yet.

The new Cabinet is still working on developing the coalition agreement made by PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB into a more concrete government program. Since it is still unclear what the consequences will be for the provinces' so-called regional programs, the ministry believes that provinces do not need to rush with these plans for the time being.

Provinces and the national government have been working on plans to recover natural areas and combat nitrogen emissions for years. The last Cabinet had more than 20 billion euros to spend on this, but the new Coalition has scrapped those funds. A first string of measures, which the provinces will be given a couple of billion euros to develop, is set to go ahead.

A LVNN spokesperson said the October 1 deadline was already not considered a strict one. Several provinces needed more time either way, while Friesland had stopped developing its nature plans completely. The uncertainty surrounding the national plans plays a role in that.