As of 1 February 2023, Henk Mulder will become program director of the Implementation of Approach to Peak Loaders at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. His big assignment: next year to make agreements with as many of the agricultural peak loaders as possible about reducing their nitrogen emissions.
Four routes are open: change of business operations, innovate, move or terminate. In addition, Mulder is preparing a tougher approach, should the peak loaders and policymakers fail to come to an agreement. Mulder is also primarily responsible for discussions with the farmers. The team that the director is currently putting together must realize the nitrogen reduction ‘with an eye for the human dimension and individual situation’.
Henk Mulder explained his task to the Ministry of the Interior on Friday: ‘This is one of the most complex tasks in our country. The implementation requires speed and the human dimension. Based on my experience, including at the Rural Areas Department and in Groningen, I think this is made for me. I look forward to leading the program management from February 1st.’
Mulder has been municipal secretary of the municipality of Midden-Groningen since 2017. Previously he was quartermaster/director at the National Coordinator Groningen and alderman in the municipality of Almere. Before that, he was active for a long time in rural areas, including the province of Fryslân.