Minister Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen) wants to make “cooperating binding agreements” with Germany to also “work on reducing nitrogen emissions on that side”.
The minister said this after three working visits to dairy farmers in the German border region.
She sees it as homework to discuss this with her German colleagues. “It is very annoying that the neighbor further down (just across the border, ed.) is allowed to build that stable and also without air washers,” says Van der Wal.
For the minister it was “useful to really zoom in on the border areas”. She visited three dairy farms in Lattrop, Haaksbergen and Huppel. “We have to offer customization here and strengthen the cooperation with Germany,” said Van der Wal.
‘Customization per area’
She emphasized that the goals set by the government – a 50 percent nitrogen reduction by 2030 – must be achieved. “We will do everything we can, but we do offer customization per area because every area is so different. That will also happen here.”
According to the Overijssel deputy for Agriculture and Nature, Gert Harm ten Bolscher, the issue of emissions from Germany for farmers in the border region was “very well brought to the attention” during the working visit. Even if all agricultural activities in this border region were to be removed, the nitrogen reduction would still not be achieved because of emissions from Germany. He is pleased that the minister has indicated that he wishes to provide scope for customization for these areas.
Attitude of minister positive
Dairy farmer Eddie Vedders, on whose farm Van der Wal was on a working visit, called the minister’s attitude “positive, but holding on to government policy”. He is very concerned about the consequences of the nitrogen plans. “In this area, forty farmers have to reduce 70 percent.”
The companies are close to three Natura 2000 sites. Vedders is not only concerned about his own succession, but also about the consequences for the village, the school and the living environment.