So far, 106 farms in Brabant have voluntarily registered for the buyout scheme with which the central government wants to drastically reduce nitrogen emissions. In addition, companies also have the same owner. If all those farmers really stopped, it would make a big dent in nitrogen emissions.
Do you voluntarily stop your company and let yourself be bought out or do you wait for other arrangements to continue in a more environmentally friendly way, for example? Many farmers are currently having to figure out what their answer to that question is.
These buyout schemes would be ‘wildly attractive’ according to Minister Van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen). The question remains whether enough farmers think the same way. Nationally, 500 farmers have registered.
There are two types of buyout arrangements:
- 53 Brabant farmers have registered for the Lbv-plus scheme for so-called peak loaders. These are the companies that cause the most nitrogen emissions in vulnerable natural areas. There are 3,000 peak loaders nationwide.
- 26 farmers have registered for the Lbv scheme. These companies are not peak loaders but still want to stop.
- 27 farmers have registered, but have not yet chosen between the two schemes.
The applicants are divided as follows:
- Pig farms 51 percent
- Poultry farms 24 percent
- Dairy farms 17 percent
- Calf farms 8 percent
Ultimately, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) decides which scheme applies. The farmer only makes an estimate. Farmers who have registered are not obliged to actually be bought out. If he does not want to participate in the scheme, he can do so.
The province has put together a team of experts to help farmers with their choice. That team started working in July and has so far received 28 requests for an introductory meeting.
The Lbv and Lbv-plus are only available temporarily. The Lbv until December 1, 2023, the Lbv-plus until April 5, 2024. We are currently also waiting for schemes with which farmers can make their business more environmentally friendly, so that they can continue with their business.
READ ALSO:
Farmers can now calculate for themselves whether they can be bought out
Farmers receive help from experts in their choice for the future