Nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal calls on farmers not to participate in blocking actions on Monday. Activists want to block Schiphol and distribution centers for supermarkets, among other things. “Don’t,” says Van der Wal. “Start the conversation.”
She does not emphasize that all farmers want to “everyone with the same brush”. According to the minister, it concerns “a small group of rioters” crossing the border. “Fortunately, there are many farmers who want to start the conversation.”
The cabinet will appoint a mediator to lead discussions between the government and the farmers. With this, Van der Wal wants to see “nuance” in the discussion again.
She thinks it is “a helping hand and a nice gesture” to the farmers after the unrest of recent weeks.
Minister: goals for sure, there is room for maneuver
The minister emphasizes that the goals of the nitrogen policy are fixed, but that there is room for maneuver in how they will be achieved. According to the minister, the fact that nitrogen emissions must be reduced so far is “a hard message, but a fair message”.
On Thursday evening, Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yesilgöz said that the police will be ready on Monday to intervene if necessary. She also said that the police will be provided with defense vehicles, among other things, so that they can take action against tractors and other agricultural equipment.
Supermarket industry wants an end to blockades
The supermarket sector called on the cabinet on Wednesday to find a solution in the conflict with the angry farmers. According to director Marc Jansen of supermarket umbrella organization CBL, blocking distribution centers is “unacceptable” because, according to him, supermarkets are not a party to the conflict.
Last year, farmers also tried to shut down distribution centers. “It cannot happen again that the food supply is so endangered,” said Jansen.