News item | 27-03-2026 | 15:55
In the Spring Memorandum, the government wants to release €150 million for measures that support agricultural entrepreneurs and strengthen nature. With this investment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) can immediately start working on several important tasks, in anticipation of the remaining € 20 billion that this government has made available.
Accelerating nature recovery
A healthy nature is important for all of us. It provides, among other things, fertile agricultural land, sufficient clean water and space for permits. This offers prospects for both farmers and the economy. Nature restoration is one of the most important priorities of this government. That is why the government wants to invest €60 million in accelerated nature restoration. The efforts focus, among other things, on hydrological recovery: improving watercourses, ditches and groundwater levels. This limits damage caused by drought and flooding. Efforts are also being made to tackle invasive exotic species, which can cause damage to nature and agriculture.
In addition, the cabinet wants to allocate an additional €16 million annually to provinces in 2026 and 2027 for the management and maintenance of nature reserves. This year, work is also being done to strengthen nature in the Caribbean Netherlands, for which € 7.5 million will be made available.
Space for innovation and entrepreneurship
The Dutch agricultural sector is internationally known for its innovative power and wants to become more sustainable. The government supports this with targeted investments. For example, €4 million will be made available for experimental locations, so that initiatives such as the Farm of the Future can develop further. €7 million will also go to the further development of goal management. This gives farmers more space to set goals based on their own craftsmanship and entrepreneurship.
€13.6 million has been provided for crop protection. This will accelerate the elimination of the backlog in authorization applications for green products. In addition, a benchmarking system will be further developed, a new practical program for plant health will be introduced and a sector plan for an area-specific approach to exceedances of standards of crop protection products in surface water will be developed and implemented.
The cabinet also wants to make €6 million available for manure fermentation. This converts animal manure into biogas: a sustainable energy source that contributes to reducing greenhouse gases. At the same time, this approach contributes to the circular use of fertilizers and reduces dependence on artificial fertilizers. This strengthens the earning capacity of farmers. This investment will actively stimulate this development in the coming period, including through subsidies.
Growth of the organic market
The subsidy scheme for increasing sales of organic agricultural products (Vabiola) has proven to be very popular. The full budget of €3.7 million had already been requested on the first day. By increasing the budget by €6 million, more collaborations can be supported and the organic market will have room to grow further.
Animal welfare
€10 million has been provided for animal welfare. The government wants both farm animals and companion animals to be well cared for, with responsibility for companies and owners. This is supported by information and better registration of biting incidents, and a pre-purchase course for dog owners.
Agreements for livestock farming have been laid down in the Animal Husbandry Covenant, together with sectors, chain parties and Animal Protection. The implementation is supported with research, pilots and chain collaboration.
Attention to mental support
Finally, attention is paid to the people behind the companies. That is why the government wants to make €3.9 million available for Taboer, an organization that discusses mental problems among farmers and gardeners and offers support.
