Farmers want to campaign during the Day of the Farmer on Saturday 10 September. LTO West-Friesland plans to protest the government’s nitrogen plans along and through the water in Stede Broec with flags and banners.
It is not the first time that farmers have protested peacefully in West Friesland, but it is one of the largest. On the Day of the Farmer (Saturday 10 September), dozens of farmers hold a protest trip in Stede Broec. That day they want to sail through all permeable ditches with barges, on which protest slogans can be seen.
And they do that for a reason. LTO chairman Trude Buysman points out a few problems. “Having or expropriation means the death blow for many farmers. But also for the many horticulturists who want to grow their products in a good way. They need manure,” says Buysman. There is a great shortage of manure, especially in the Grootslag.
According to Buysman, West Friesland does not have a nitrogen problem. “Yet we have to shrink in many places by 47 percent. This means that your company is unsaleable. You can no longer get a mortgage to adapt your company to the new rules.”
‘Have a nice day’
LTO West-Friesland draws attention to nitrogen policy with the protest sailing. Buysman tells NH Nieuws that it is not about a blockade or a wild action. “We want to demonstrate along the quays with flags and banners. We don’t want any nuisance
cause, but rather have a nice day.”