The House of Representatives voted this afternoon on 43 changes to the cabinet’s nitrogen plans. There will be no major changes, but the MPs were sensitive to a number of points raised by the farmers.
Almost all parties voted in favor of the GroenLinks motion for the elaboration of plans that should give farmers perspective for the future. The House of Representatives finds the ten-page letter from Minister Staghouwer about this far too vague and wants a new letter before Budget Day with more clarity about the future prospects for farmers. Because if they are allowed to farm less, the question is what they are allowed to do to earn a living.
Farmers’ interest groups have also been calling for years that technological innovations can reduce nitrogen emissions. A motion by the VVD to investigate which innovations could lead to which reductions received broad support. The study should also consider the legal feasibility. For example, low-emission stable floors appear to yield less reduction than expected and the judge is currently disapproving them.
Another point the farmers are fighting for is measuring instead of making policy based on models. The VVD came up with a proposal for a nationwide measurement system and managed to get a majority in the House of Representatives for it.
The House of Representatives also supports the CDA’s proposal to let the provinces take control of nitrogen policy and the use of the budget. So the provinces can decide for themselves how much they invest in innovation, relocation of companies and purchases. Added together for all provinces, the nitrogen reduction must be 50 percent by 2030.
There is also support in the House of Representatives for frontrunners in circular agriculture, such as organic farmers. Many of these farmers are in an area where nitrogen must be reduced by 47 percent, while according to Wageningen University these farmers already emit half as much nitrogen as a normal farmer. The call now is to support these farmers so that they can continue their businesses as much as possible.
Motions by smaller parties to withdraw confidence in the cabinet and to reject the nitrogen policy so far have not been successful. There was also no support for the proposal of the Boer Citizen Movement (BBB) and JA21 to adjust the nitrogen policy. In addition, the House of Representatives rejected a motion by BBB and JA21 to go to Brussels and ask whether the Netherlands may reclassify the Natura2000 areas.
It is up to the cabinet to decide what to do with the motions. The ministers are not obliged to carry out the motions. It is also questionable to what extent the government believes that the wishes of the House of Representatives have not already been incorporated into the nitrogen plans.
The protesting farmers at the provincial government in Assen found the adjustments too meager. They fear that the submitted changes are a blanket for the bleeding and that the nitrogen policy will continue as it was presented earlier this month. The farmers want the province to speak out openly against the cabinet plans.
Responsible deputy Henk Jumelet told the farmers that the infamous card with reduction percentages must be removed. According to Minister Van der Wal, that card, which also includes a digital version, was not cast in stone. The province will also point out to the cabinet that the law prescribes that the nitrogen reduction must be achieved in 2035 and that the cabinet has now suddenly made it into 2030.
RTV Drenthe reporter Petra Wijnsema about today’s farmers’ protests: