Join the discussion: the nitrogen problem will never be solved with advocates such as LTO | Join the conversation

Livestock farms located within one kilometer of a nature reserve have to downsize considerably. This is stated in leaked government plans for nitrogen policy. Interest group LTO (North) is critical: “This leaves little agriculture.” In the Issue we pose a question or statement to our readers about this. Also respond below.

Minister Van Essen of Agriculture (D66) will present the final nitrogen plans next Friday, June 26. An important part was already leaked on Tuesday: the cabinet wants to establish zones of 1 kilometer around twenty large nature reserves, in which much less nitrogen may be emitted.

With this wide strip, the government has chosen to distribute emissions across several companies. As a result, more farmers are affected, but more customization is also possible for the companies in question.

But that does mean that many farms will have to downsize or even disappear. The vice-chairman of the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK), Merel Straathof, is unhappy with this: “We think everything above 500 meters is inexplicable, because you cannot scientifically prove that it has an effect.”

The Agriculture and Horticulture Organization (LTO) is also critical: LTO North chairman Dirk Bruins wonders how these plans will work out in practice. If the rule means that agriculture is no longer allowed in that kilometer, he says, these would be ‘very far-reaching plans’.

What do you think? Should interest groups such as LTO take more action to finally get rid of the nitrogen problem? Do you think they are putting on the brakes too much? Or do you think it is good that they continue to support the companies? Do you think that the emphasis of the nitrogen dossier ends up too much on the plate of agriculture? Join the discussion and respond!

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