Next Monday, farmer Hans Huijbers from Wintelre will keep his cows indoors. He participates in the national protest of LTO Nederland and Team Agro NL. The initiators fear that the cow is no longer allowed to go out to pasture without additional permits. Practically and legally unfeasible, they say. They are therefore calling on all dairy farmers to keep their cows indoors on Monday 30 May. “As a farmer, that touches your soul.”
Permits, permits and more permits. According to farmer Hans, that is where the sore spot is. “Especially the fact that we as farmers are bothered by someone thinking that we also need a permit to let our cows graze. That is a nature conservation law permit. So if a cow shows natural behavior, then I have to get a permit there. for requests,” says Hans.
“I already have a permit for my stable”, Hans continues. “The theoretical amount of ammonia that comes out of that has already been calculated. But now I have to apply for a permit again to let my cow graze,” says the farmer in frustration.
“It’s a bit silly thinking.”
Ammonia is the culprit here. This substance is released when the faeces and urine of the cows are mixed. Too much ammonia in the air is harmful to people’s health, especially people with lung complaints and asthma.
Ammonia is especially harmful to nature. Plants and the soil absorb ammonia. For example, too much of it ends up in nature reserves: it makes the soil richer. As a result, rare plants that thrive in nutrient-poor soils disappear. For example, nettles crowd out orchids. Animals that live on the rare plants disappear as a result.
But those new rules and permits are counterproductive, according to Hans. “It’s a bit of a stupid idea. The animals that walk outside, defecate and pee in the same place. As a result, they do not come together and you have hardly any ammonia emissions. While when they are in the stable, it comes together and that ensures for higher emissions.”
“That touches your soul.”
Monday Hans keeps the cows inside. Yet he is disappointed that action should be taken at all. “As a farmer, that actually touches your soul. In my profession I am a caretaker. And if I like the fact that my animals are outside, and my animals like it too, how can someone think that they have a license to see?” he says, shaking his head.
Hans wants to emphasize that he believes that farmers should be free to make their own choices. “I join the action out of a form of disbelief. How is it possible?”, he sighs.
