Farmers Defense Force (FDF) is not at all satisfied with the first consultation that farmers’ organizations had with the cabinet on Friday. “If I get a little taste of the mood, I think you can prepare yourself for the hardest actions that FDF has ever conducted,” warns foreman Mark van den Oever, who was not present at the meeting.
He will not say what kind of actions are involved. “We’re not going to dwell on that, but we’re definitely going to escalate. We always come up with something special.”
Earlier on Friday, the cabinet, led by Johan Remkes, entered into talks with farmers’ organisations. Remkes said afterwards that he understood the uncertainty of the farmers. He spoke of a constructive first, exploratory conversation.
According to him, there is a “severe crisis of confidence” in the Netherlands that must be restored. He therefore hopes to be able to sit down with more farmers’ organisations, including FDF, by the end of this month.
That doesn’t seem enough for FDF. Van den Oever compares the gap between politics and farmers with the Grand Canyon in the United States. “The impasse is great, we are back to square one,” he says.
Actions instead of dialogue
He hopes to be able to resolve this impasse with actions instead of dialogue. “It does not want to be decided at the negotiating table. Now the meeting farmers have been worked out and the action farmers have to get back to work.”
In previous protests, items containing the cancer-causing asbestos were thrown onto the highway. The mess had to be cleaned up by specialized companies, which meant that roads remained closed for longer.
“No one is in favor of throwing asbestos on the highway. I think we all agree on that. But look, it is of course also our supporters, we are not going to lose them,” says Van den Oever.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service East Netherlands tells NU.nl to keep a close eye on the situation. “We have yet to see what he will do. Escalating can mean a lot of things.” Inciting violence is punishable, she explains. “And if we find criminal acts, we will certainly act.”
FDF not present at consultation
FDF was not present at the nitrogen meeting earlier on Friday. Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of the farmers’ organization LTO, was appointed spokesperson for eight farmers’ clubs. He was a lot more nuanced than FDF afterwards. He said he was “ready for now until further steps are taken”.
The ball is currently in the cabinet to restore confidence, says Van der Tak. He says there has been some movement.
Nevertheless, according to a spokesperson for LTO, the farmers’ clubs are still “substantially on the same line”, despite FDF’s observation that the talks have failed and the call for tougher actions. The LTO spokesperson says his organization supports actions that “fit within a democratic constitutional state”.
The spokesman would not comment further on the “escalation” of actions promised by the FDF. These have regularly led to criminal offenses in recent weeks.
Van der Tak also does not want to respond substantively to the statements of FDF. The LTO leader says he only supports actions that are “appropriate and dignified”.
What is the nitrogen problem about again?
- The government wants to significantly reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the coming years. These emissions are a major burden on nature and biodiversity.
- Agriculture is the largest emitter of nitrogen. Farmers fear that the strict targets will lead to a clear cut in the countryside. They also guard against an uncertain future perspective.
- Plans presented earlier to halve nitrogen oxide emissions by 2030 led to major farmers’ protests.