News item | 14-10-2022 | 17:00
The government embraces the lines of thought and recommendations from the report ‘What is possible – out of the impasse and a start for perspective’ by Mr Remkes. This means that work is being done on a short-term approach to permit granting and an agricultural agreement with directional agreements about the future of agriculture. We then lay the puzzles in the area processes to realize the nature objectives, among other things. For the short term, priority is to legalize PAS reports. An initial response from the government to the report was sent to the House of Representatives today.
At the request of the House of Representatives, Mr Remkes was asked to lead the talks, following unrest throughout society. “I want farmers to feel valued again. As a government, we have a lot of work to do to restore trust. Farmers ensure a vital countryside and, in addition to the food supply, also take care of nature. I want to work with them to create a sustainable future for agriculture,” said Minister Piet Adema (LNV).
The cabinet wants to improve the quality of nature, water, the environment and climate, but also that there is a good future for the agricultural sector. Nature must be demonstrably improved and at the same time permits must be issued, for example for housing and infrastructure. The Netherlands has to get rid of the lock. For the time being, in accordance with Remkes’ advice, the cabinet will continue to focus on achieving the nitrogen targets in 2030, with benchmarks in 2025 and 2028. “We want to use and continue the constructive discussions that were held last summer. More than before, we are actively seeking collaboration in order to bridge and unite contradictions. Restoring trust takes time, we realize that. This advice is the chance to make a new start on the way to a good balance between the economy and nature. Because farmers, and certainly young farmers too, have a future in the Netherlands,” said Minister Van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen).
peak loaders
One of Mr Remkes’ recommendations is the targeted and accelerated removal of emissions from 500-600 so-called peak loaders. In this way, as few companies as possible are affected and space can be created for, among other things, PAS detectors. Remkes advises to give them priority when it comes to the usable nitrogen space that comes from the peak loaders. After all, in this way justice is done to the position of PAS detectors. When it comes to peak loads, the cabinet wants to discuss a phased approach with entrepreneurs from various sectors. These conversations – on a voluntary basis – are initially about adapting or relocating and only then about voluntarily buying or buying out a company. The government is aware that this process has a major impact and considers the 1-year time frame mentioned by Remkes to be ambitious. Partly for this reason, the government wants to formulate a scheme as soon as possible. The Ministry of LNV wants to tackle this together with the sector and the provinces.
Agricultural Agreement
The cabinet wants – as Remkes also recommends – to develop the lines of thought of the report together with the sector into a clear and stable course. The aim is a multi-year approach for agriculture and to offer support in this way towards circular agriculture.
This should give direction to the future of the agricultural sectors, including the contribution made by the chain parties. The agreement therefore forms an important basis for future agricultural policy. The starting point for this is the report by Mr Remkes and the coalition agreement.
The cabinet wants the talks that were made under the leadership of Mr Remkes. This requires a responsibility from everyone to actively participate and to listen to each other, discuss conflicting interests and work on joint solutions. Other interested parties, such as nature conservation organisations, are also part of this.
Continuation
The government wants to get started as soon as possible. The government is assuming its role and responsibility. In November there will be a letter to parliament with the main points for the future of agriculture. This contains the basis for the agricultural agreement, the aim of which is to conclude in the first quarter of 2023. The House of Representatives will also be informed in November about the way in which further details will be given to tackling peak loads.
A letter to parliament will also be issued in November 2022 with the national objectives in the context of the National Program for Rural Areas (NPLG) in the field of climate, water and nature.
These guiding provincial objectives and choices will be established by January 2023 at the latest, and will be finalized on July 1, 2023 after the area programs have been submitted.