Several angry farmers went to the provincial government in Den Bosch on Monday afternoon to protest against the cabinet’s nitrogen plans. They went in with a small group and asked for ‘a line to The Hague’. But they left empty handed. It is unclear whether more protests will follow in Brabant on Monday.
There was a group of tractors in front of the provincial house. There was also a large police presence, including with motorcycles. And the ME was on the spot. All access roads around the provincial government were closed as a precaution.
“We are out again and we are disappointed.”
Tens of minutes after the small group of farmers entered the provincial house, they were outside again. One of those farmers is Farmers Defense Force leader Mark van den Oever from Brabant. He hoped the campaign would show the province ‘that it can no longer be done like this’.
“The line to The Hague is there,” says the farmer, “but they don’t want to use it. It is said that they want to offer us more perspective, including with a letter in September. Then it is Prinsjesdag. But yes, we are now outside again and we are disappointed.”
Farmers blocked the highway in several places on Monday in protest against the cabinet’s nitrogen policy. Last week, farmers also held a large demonstration in Stroe. But according to some, that didn’t help. That is why there was another demonstration on Monday.
“We’ll grab a cup of coffee here and then go home.”
According to Van den Oever, all protests have been peaceful. Nevertheless, the A67 was blocked for three hours on Monday. “We have set up a positive campaign in Stroe, but that has had very little effect. Things are going a little less friendly now. The farmer is now revolting himself. We will see how that continues tomorrow. We will grab a cup of coffee here and then go home”, concludes Van den Oever while standing in front of the provincial government.
He does not know whether there will be more actions in Brabant on Monday. “But in the rest of the country tonight.”
The protests did not come out of the blue. Just under two weeks ago, the cabinet presented the long-awaited plans to reduce nitrogen emissions. And that means bad news for farmers, especially farmers around nature reserves. They will probably have to clear the field.
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