Some Drenthe lily growers are threatened with a fine of millions if they refuse to comply with the province’s requirements to protect vulnerable nature. Growers near Natura 2000 areas must take extra precautions when using pesticides. If this is not done, a fine will follow, amounting to almost 5.3 million euros in the most extreme case.
At the beginning of May, fifteen growers informed the province where they grow lilies. Based on this, Drenthe recently sent a letter to all these farmers. It states what the province expects to take per plot in terms of measures to protect nature against possible damage from pesticides.
The province is most strict on plots within 250 meters of a Natura 2000 area. It has been determined that five substances may no longer be used. This concerns boscalid, fluopyram, folpet, tebuconazole (fungal fighters) and pendimethalin (weed fighter). These substances were found in nature reserves in a study by the citizens’ initiative Meten=Weten.
If growers do use these substances, the province will take enforcement action. This is done by eventually sending a ‘penalty penalty’. Growers must pay if they do not cooperate.
In total there are five growers who have multiple plots within 250 meters of a Natura 2000 area. This concerns the areas of Fochteloërveen, Drents-Friese Wold & Leggelderveld, Dwingelderveld, Elperstroom, Holtingerveld, Witterveld and Drentsche Aa. The penalty payments vary from 75,000 euros to more than 1.5 million euros, depending on the number of hectares on which a company cultivates.
The growers show little understanding for the choice of the five substances mentioned above. They point to a report from Wageningen University & Research (WUR). It states that nine substances may pose a danger to nature, but these are not the five substances mentioned by the province.
Drenthe writes in the letter to the growers that it has taken the WUR report into account. But the province also states that the WUR report has limitations. That is why she believes it is ‘careful’ to stick to the five substances. WUR researchers themselves also indicate that it is too early to draw conclusions.
The province itself is conducting research into the effects of pesticides on nature. Based on the results, she does not rule out that the policy will be different in 2027.
The province also imposes additional requirements on lily growers who grow at a distance of more than 250 meters, but within one kilometer of a Natura 2000 area. Farmers must demonstrate that they are making these plots more sustainable. This can be done, among other things, by participating in the Drentse Lelie project or using techniques that ensure that fabrics are less likely to blow away.
If growers do not comply with this, an order subject to penalty may also follow. Nine growers could be affected by this. The amounts vary from 17,500 euros to 4.1 million euros, depending on the number of hectares.
There are also growers who have plots within 250 meters and within one kilometer. These farmers may receive two penalty payments. In the most extreme case, this amounts to almost 5.3 million euros for a single grower.
According to the province, this farmer has about 150 hectares of lilies near vulnerable nature. The province thinks that the grower makes a profit of 25,000 euros per hectare. To calculate the penalty, this amount is multiplied by the number of hectares.
According to growers, however, the profit of 25,000 euros has been much too high.
The reason for the province’s actions is an enforcement request from Meten=Weten. This is a request to the province to check whether rules are being broken. An answer to this must be provided before July 1.
According to Meten=Weten, there is a violation because lily growers are required to have a permit. None of the entrepreneurs have such a nature permit and there seems to be no way to obtain one. For a permit it must be demonstrated that damage to nature due to pesticides is excluded. According to current scientific knowledge, this is impossible
Growers can avoid the penalty payments by complying with the province’s requirements. Even if they prove that they have been growing the crop for some time, there will be no penalty. This is called ‘existing use’. The province of Drenthe has therefore asked growers to provide information by next Tuesday.
Six lily growers do not have plots within one kilometer of Natura 2000. They do not have to do anything for the time being. Measuring = Knowing must convince the province that natural damage can also occur on these plots. Drenthe expects that this will not be the case so quickly.
