Dutch farmers gear up for new protests against nitrogen rules
Farmers are preparing for new protest actions against the cabinet's nitrogen plans. De Telegraaf reported this based on statements from Agractie, the Farmers Defence Force (FDF), and the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV) in Apeldoorn.
The anger among farmers is mounting following a series of regulatory setbacks. A letter from Agriculture Minister Jaimi van Essen of D66 outlined strict emissions-reduction requirements, including a cow standard that farmers say is unattainable.
The frustration was compounded by news from Brussels last week that the Nitrate Directive will not be adjusted, leaving farmers facing costly manure disposal and fertilizer purchases. Meanwhile, five poultry farmers in Brabant have been notified that the province plans to revoke their nature permits.
Emotions reportedly ran high Thursday evening at a meeting in Apeldoorn organized by NMV and FDF. The evening was intended for tractor groups to discuss their desire to take action.
According to De Telegraaf, work is underway on new protest actions. The details are not yet known. However, the Overijssel farmers' action group Voll Gass has reportedly said that a demonstration on the Hague's Malieveld would not be enough.
"Less food production means more expensive groceries. The sum of the proposed measures is so drastic that they put agriculture and the food supply under pressure," Agractie chairman Erik Luiten said during the meeting. "That is why the parliamentary letter from the Minister of Agriculture must be taken off the table in its entirety."
During the meeting, one of the farmers allegedly said the LTO leader Ger Koopmans needs to be visited at home and castrated. According to De Telegraaf, friends and foes alike agreed that such statements are completely unacceptable.
Koopmans himself is, incidentally, also critical of parts of the cabinet's plans — in particular, the overly broad zoning around Natura 2000 areas.
Protests already took place last week. During the night of July 12-13, forty farmers blocked access to 32 locations, including a Jumbo distribution center in Beilen and a waste processor in Wijster. Gates at the entrances were locked with chains and padlocks.
In the meantime, the Provincial Council will interrupt its holiday next month, on August 14, for an emergency debate on revoking nitrogen permits for five agricultural businesses in Brabant. Due to court rulings, the province has no other option, says Deputy Saskia Boelema (permitting, D66).
The BBB, 50PLUS, JA21, ChristenUnie-SGP, CDA, PVV, and Forum for Democracy had requested on Friday to debate this matter "as soon as possible," Omroep Brabant reports.
According to the seven parties, the debate on this matter cannot wait until the next regular Provincial Council meeting in September.
A large part of the Brabant opposition considers the revocation of permits "out of all proportion" and also states that this sets "a life-threatening precedent."
BBB faction leader Marco Havermans says he would prefer to debate sooner. "Just before the holidays, these entrepreneurs are being thrown under the bus. They need to know where they stand as soon as possible," Havermans said.
The representatives will then debate with the Provincial Executive, the governing body of the province.
Last year, following an enforcement request from the MOB foundation chaired by Johan Vollenbroek, the judge ruled that Brabant must take measures to drastically reduce nitrogen emissions within a year. Because talks with the parties involved yielded no feasible alternatives, Brabant now says it has no choice but to proceed with revoking the permits.
The agricultural and horticultural business organization (LTO) is angry. "Entrepreneurs who have cooperated diligently for years, invested, and demonstrably reduced their emissions are now being abandoned by their own government," says LTO chairman Ger Koopmans. "Unacceptable; this cannot happen in a constitutional state."
