Majority NH Nieuws panel: farmers hit too hard in tackling nitrogen problem

Almost half (43 percent) agree to a high to very high degree that something needs to be done about nitrogen emissions. And another 32 percent to a reasonable degree. A quarter say they don’t believe there is a problem.

And even though there are concerns about the consequences for nature, but also housing construction. Most participants believe that farmers are wrongly being tackled in order to reduce emissions.

Little support for downsizing

For example, more than half of the participants (56 percent) say they are not in favor of downsizing farms. In addition, there is also a group that supports it to a reasonable extent. But then it is about tackling large livestock farmers. “I don’t think it’s a problem to shrink in a natural way. You should ban mega stalls. That is mainly for export,” says Tony from the municipality of Dijk en Waard, for example.

Most members believe that something needs to be done on all fronts. And then, among other things, reference is made to heavy industry. That should be reduced, according to many panel members. But air traffic also needs to be tackled.

Several members indicate that fewer flights should be done. For example, by making tickets more expensive or by enforcing this in some other way. “Less air traffic and the problem is solved. Let them Facetime more instead of flying around,” responds Steven from the Gooise Meren municipality.

Other options mentioned are creating more green (nature), but also tackling driving. By introducing road pricing, but also by lowering the speed limit on roads.

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Support for protest, but also criticism

Yesterday tens of thousands of farmers protested against the nitrogen plans of the cabinet in Stroe, Gelderland. Many farmers came with the tractor to make their pointsuch as a large group from West Friesland† More than half of the participating NH Nieuws panelists (55 percent) support the protests to a high to very high degree, and 20 percent to a reasonable degree. A quarter disagreed.

Yet there is also criticism of the way in which some of the farmers protest against the plans. Some of the panel members fear that it will actually be counterproductive.

Then it mainly concerns, for example, the look up at home from nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal, two weeks ago. “Threatening and intimidating ministers is shameful and almost criminal. Demonstrating in Stroe is okay,” said Jan Baas from Enkhuizen

Also the sometimes aggressive tone is mentioned. “Aggression and threats are not normal. This has nothing to do with freedom of expression,” says panel member Monique from the municipality of Dijk en Waard. And not everyone likes blocking roads with tractors.

‘Farmers stand with their backs against the wall’

On the other hand, there is also a group of panelists who believe that the farmers have no choice but to demonstrate in this way. “The farmers have nowhere to go, they have their backs against the wall. They don’t talk to them, but talk about them,” says Ruben from Huizen.