At the beginning of this month, De Telegraaf reported that the Netherlands is in danger of losing the so-called manure derogation, which means that farmers are allowed to spread less manure. This can lead to sky-high bills for livestock farmers who then have to have their manure removed. Another option is for them to cut their livestock.
The Netherlands has had an exception for years that allows farmers to spread more manure on their land than is actually good for the environment. That exception will look ‘significantly different’ in the coming years, agriculture minister Staghouwer writes in a letter to the House of Representatives on Friday. Farmers fear the worst and political The Hague is also holding its breath. The European Commission will not make a decision until September.
In Brussels, it is said that the Netherlands must tackle environmental problems at the source. The Ministry of Agriculture has lost a lot of credit by failing to deliver on previous promises. To support Staghouwer in Brussels, Prime Minister Mark Rutte had to come to the rescue. The hope is now that farmers will gradually be allowed to spread less manure, and that the exception will not be lifted immediately.