The government is allocating 300 million euros to save the De Peel nature reserve from desiccation and nitrogen. The area has been under pressure for some time. “The money is desperately needed,” says Minister Jaimi van Essen. A total of 150 million euros will go to the Brabant part of De Peel, the other half to the Limburg part.
De Peel has unique nature: the so-called raised bog. To restore this, a lot of water is needed, but that is a major challenge. Raised bogs can only be fed with rainwater, which often flows away from the higher area. A great wish of owner Staatsbosbeheer is to restore the raised bog, so that De Peel is preserved for the future.
Minister Jaimi van Essen of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature signed the implementation of measures to restore the area on Wednesday afternoon in Griendtsveen, Limburg. These are used in various parts of De Peel, such as the Deurnsche Peel, Mariapeel, Groote Peel, the Sarsven and De Banen. “De Peel is an important area in the Netherlands,” the minister said after signing the measures.
Parts of De Peel have changed considerably in recent years. For example, more wetland areas have been created to stimulate raised bogs and prevent wildfires. However, this is still not enough and additional measures are needed. When asked what measures are still being taken to restore the area, Jaimi van Essen says: “Wetting the area.” The minister did not make it clear exactly what this will look like.
According to the minister, the money should also provide scope for licensing and new developments in the region. This would take the next step towards a Peel where nature, economy and quality of life are in balance.
Nitrogen rules
The farmers around De Peel are also under pressure. They suffer from strict nitrogen regulations. On Tuesday, NOS reported that the government plans to establish a one-kilometer zone around De Peel. In that zone, farmers must disappear, move or innovate in such a way that their nitrogen emissions are significantly reduced.
Minister Van Essen does not want to confirm whether it actually concerns one kilometer. He does say that there will be a zone and that the money can also be spent on farmers who want to innovate or move.