Farmers’ organizations are reacting fairly enthusiastically to the fall of the government. Most are breathing a sigh of relief because new elections could lead to less strict nitrogen targets. But what will change for the farmers now that Rutte IV has stepped down?
At his resignation, Mark Rutte said that themes such as nitrogen and the future of agriculture and nature “request a solution and not a postponement.” In September, after the summer recess, the House of Representatives will determine what the outgoing cabinet may continue to work on, and which are ‘controversial’, and will therefore be for the new cabinet to determine policy on.
In short, there is still a lot of uncertainty. But the stoppage scheme for peak loaders and other farmers who emit nitrogen on protected Natura 2000 areas is in any case open. This includes other schemes for relocation, innovation and extensification – more land with fewer animals. But whether they will still be opened is the question.
Transition Fund
The province of Gelderland has the most potential peak loaders, according to a calculation by the RIVM. Deputy Harold Zoet (BBB) denounces the even longer ambiguity. “The greatest urgency is with the PAS detectors. And it is very important that the transition fund that is released to restore nature, water and clean air is not delayed, and that all government schemes promised in the peak load approach are implemented quickly. In Gelderland, despite the uncertainty, we are continuing to work on the plans in our coalition agreement.”
It is unclear what will happen to the nitrogen targets. In any case, the lengthy discussion of 2030 or 2035 for halving nitrogen emissions has finally been settled with the fall of the cabinet. Most provinces, including Gelderland, already adhered to the year stated in the law, which was 2035. And the threat of buy-out if there are not enough registrations for the ‘wildly attractive’ buy-out scheme is also over.
Well-considered choice
LTO spokesman Sander van Diepen is still trying to find out what the fall of this cabinet means exactly for his farmers’ supporters. “That also depends a lot on what is being declared controversial.” He hopes that the relocation and extensification scheme will be opened up in addition to the cessation scheme. “Only then can the farmer make a well-considered choice.”
LTO has always experienced and appreciated the contacts and cooperation with Prime Minister Rutte as pleasant. The agricultural vision that outgoing minister Adema would come up with after the failure of the agricultural agreement is no longer expected by the LTO. “That is really an assignment that you should give to the next cabinet.” Van Diepen emphasizes that LTO has no political color. “When the party programs are announced, we will again make a list of points with good advice, and hope that this can be an inspiration. We love parties equally, as long as they love our farmers.” As far as he is concerned, farmers will not benefit from any further delay, which will certainly come as a result of the fall of the cabinet. “You especially want to remove that uncertainty.”
Positive
“As far as we are concerned, it is positive that the cabinet has fallen,” says Bart Kemp of farmers’ action group Agractie. “We were not happy with this coalition agreement with strict nitrogen targets, and we are glad that it is over. The farmers have a permit and can continue to farm. And it is legally established that there must be a solution for PAS reporters within two years.” PAS reporters are farmers who have become illegal due to government failure. Kemp does not think it makes sense to open up the other schemes for relocation and extensification. “There is no farmer who is waiting for that, because there is no trust in the government.” He says about Rutte’s resignation: “The leadership change was imminent. I will not miss him, but the personal contact I had with him helped to get things moving.”
Feed supplier ForFarmers finds it annoying that the uncertainty that farmers have been in for four years is continuing even longer. “They have to wait even longer for the future prospects. But that uncertainty does not prevent us from continuing to work on the sustainability agenda. That issue is high on the agenda in society and with us, and that will not change soon.”